May has the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. Come December, the Geminids light up our skies. In the middle, it's worth peering up to catch another sight: the Delta Aquariids. Arriving in the thick of winter, the Delta Aquariids may not be quite a famous or frenetic, but it's still considered a strong meteor shower, with around 15–25 meteors hurtling across the heavens per hour during its peak. In good news for those Down Under, it's also typically best seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Caused by the breakup of the Machholz comet, the shower is expected to be visible from Friday, July 12 to Friday, August 23. The ideal time to catch it will be between Sunday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 30, however — and, like many astronomical shows, catching an eyeful after midnight is recommended (aka when the moon has set and its light will not interfere). According to The Conversation, the Delta Aquariids will also coincide with the Alpha Capricornids and Pisces Austrinids, giving stargazers extra reasons to look up. The former is noted for its bright meteors and even fireballs, although they're infrequent, at around two-to-nine per hour. As for the latter, they're even slower. For your best chances of getting a glimpse, the usual advice applies. Get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. The Delta Aquariids' name comes from the constellation from which they appear to come, Aquarius. So that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Aquarius, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). The Delta Aquariids meteor shower will be at its peak across Sunday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 30. Image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
Yes, that’s right: we said coffice. And by coffice we mean 'coffee shop office'. Long gone are the days when all you required from your favourite café was a skilled barista and a selection of tabloids. Nowadays we expect a whole lot more — Wi-Fi, powerpoints, and ample table surface area, for starters. We want to help you meet that deadline, avoid that frustrating colleague, or master the art of procrastination. So, for those of you seeking out attractive alternatives to working at home, uni or your partitioned space, let us present to you the cafés that best accommodate working folk in Sydney. 1. Berkelouw Café Bookstore, Newtown Just off King Street is Berkelouw Café Bookstore, Newtown’s converted warehouse favourite. We’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy the workspace – sprawl your stuff out over one of the chesterfields or set up shop at one of the large communal tables perched on the second floor. You’ll find organic fair trade coffee and freshly baked goods; a winning recipe for an enchanting meeting between boho locals and coffice fanatics. Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm; 6-8 O’Connell Street, Newtown; 02 9557 1777; www.berkelouw.com.au 2. Café Otto, Glebe Otto’s back! After burning down in 2010, Glebe’s institutional Cafe Otto has returned in good form. Owner Neil Mirani is offering up a hearty café tucker menu and extensive beverage list in a relaxed coffice setting. With padded bench seating, joinable tables, open fire, Wi-Fi, and $12 specials for everyday of the week, Otto’s a Sydney uni kid’s escapist haven and our pick for coffice comfort. Mon–Sun 10am–Late; 79 Glebe Point Road, Glebe; 02 9556 1519. 3. The Fern, Redfern Residing in an old terrace house, The Fern could almost be code for, “working from home”. The three things that make this place a real gem? The Melburnian blend Gravity, the good form retro interior, and the fact that you can get a seven course degustation for $49 (save this for the ‘rewarding of self’ once coffice duties are complete). Bunk down in one of the slouchy armchairs and enjoy the café’s Wi-Fi. Redfern’s cosiest coffice. Tue–Sun 8am–3pm, Thu–Sat 6–10pm; 4 Pitt Street, Redfern; 02 8399 0070; www.thefern.com.au 4. Gertrude and Alice, Bondi Beach Guzzle down on a honey infused chair and sink into one of the snug sofas. With over 25,000 books at your disposal Gertrude and Alice is the unchallenged coffice for workers with research heavy projects, people addicted to the smell of ancient books or those seeking solace from the cold pinch of traditional libraries. A coffice for readers. Mon–Fri 9.30am–11pm, Sat–Sun 8.30am–Late; 46 Hall Street, Bondi Beach; 02 9130 5155; www.gertrudeandalice.com.au 5. MCA Café, The Rocks Located on level four of the new Mordant Wing, this place boasts the view across the quay, free Wi-Fi and is top of our list for the coffice shmooze. Get in early to knock over some work in the indoor ‘canteen’ then liaise with clients or coffice mates over a glass or two on the terrace. They’re open 24 hours on Thursdays (kitchen open until 9pm), too. Score! Mon–Sun 10am–5pm, Thu 24 hrs; Level 4, 180 George Street, The Rocks; 02 9250 8443; www.mca.com.au 6. The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria New kid on the block, the Grounds of Alexandria, is for coffice goers who enjoy the outdoors and have a tolerance for the little humans. Yes, there will be both queues and prams, but don’t let this put you off – order from the takeaway counter then kick back in the garden. Enjoyment of the chicken run, pebbled paths, and rustic shared tables is best left to cofficers looking for creative inspiration and/or those on a quest to nail the whole kitchen garden thing. Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm; Building 7A/2 Huntley Street, Alexandria; 02 9699 2225; www.groundsroasters.com 7. Gallery Café, Annandale The pioneer of Booth Street café culture. With a wide selection of hearty breakfasts, lunches, and snacks served amongst canvas-covered walls, this coffice is best for ample desk space. Seating over 100, the open space willingly hosts large groups but also welcomes lingerers in its quiet corners. Mon–Sat 7am–5pm, Sun 8am–5pm; 43 Booth Street, Annandale; 02 9692 8449; www.gallerycafe.com.au 8. BangBang Espresso Bar and Cafe, Surry Hills So what do ex-Ministry of Sound DJs do when they call it quits? Apparently they run hipster cafes in the tree-lined streets of Surry Hills. BangBang Espresso Bar and Café is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle – the laidback coffice for those needing to catch up on a few things. Casual and accommodating for quiet coffice folk. Mon–Fri 8am–4pm, Sat–Sun 8am–3pm; 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; 02 9281 0018. 9. Broadway Lounge, Chippendale Students rejoice, because Broadway Lounge was made for you. With free Wi-Fi, 10% student discounts and space aplenty, Broadway Lounge is a welcome relief to on-campus cram sessions. And don’t forget the karaoke night on Wednesdays – the best form of stress-relief out there if you ask us. Mon–Sat 8am–Late, Sun 8am–10pm; 166-170 Broadway, Chippendale; 02 9212 2007; www.broadwaylounge.com.au 10. Café Hernandez, Potts Point Say goodbye to those grease-ball kebabs and hello to tasty churros. Café Hernandez is Kings X’s 24 hour haunt – the perfect late night coffice (of a weeknight, that is). Hernandez is an excellent solution for tight deadlines and middle of the night internet-gone-down fiascos. With an enviable selection of roasts and a famous hot chocolate, this place is fully equipped to give you that kick into action no matter what time of day or night. The coffice most suited to coffee fiends and night owls. Mon–Sun 24 hours; 60 Kings Cross Road, Potts Point; 02 9331 2343; www.cafehernandez.com.au Main image via mrlancerichardson on Flickr
Since 1994, the year when Australia first observed January 26 as the national holiday (not a state-based holiday), the choice of this date has continued to divide Australians, given the fact that the day is a Day of Mourning for many Indigenous Australians. The movement to change the date of the national holiday has continued to gather momentum and support in recent years, and NITV's #AlwaysWillBe project has become an important component in the movement. Cue 'Change The Date', a quick-spit rhyme that's both lyrical and political from some of Australia's best hip-hop artists, produced in partnership with NITV. The single has been released as both an audio track and a 360-degree virtual reality experience, both available for free online, and features Nooky, Birdz, Urthboy of The Herd, Thundamentals, L-Fresh the Lion, Tasman Keith, Ozi Batla, Kaylah Truth, Coda Conduct and Hau of Koolism. The NITV #AlwaysWillBe initiative focuses on presenting the views of the Indigenous population on January 26, and 'Change The Date' takes aim at the celebration for its insensitivity to how the colonisation of Australia affected the people who were already living here, with lyrics including, "Some say what's in a day/ Some say what's in a name/ Australia Day, Invasion Day/ Homie, that's one in the same." It's important to note that the song does not come across as a message of aggression or condemnation, but more of a call for unity and understanding. While the discussion of an inclusive and respectful celebration of our nation has attracted what Fremantle City Councillor Sam Wainwright has called a "happy-clappy nationalist and racist narrative", the song itself takes the approach that only a message of consideration and unity will bring the country together over this divisive issue. Rather than espouse a vitriolic stance towards the backlash that is all too common when this issue is on the table, the song ends with Hau's rhyme that, "I know this will come at a price/ but it's only a small sacrifice/ as soon as the others open their hearts and open their eyes/ we will rise up." Turn it up:
Cover your ears if you love local music; another Aussie festival is in serious trouble. Newcastle-turned-Sydney experimental darling Sound Summit has announced they'll be taking a 2014 hiatus in order to reassess their "ongoing financial viability". Cue anxious collar pulling and angry pub rants about the end of festivals altogether. However bleak it sounds, organisers aren't yet throwing in the towel. "This decision has not been made lightly and was made with the aim to develop a more robust platform for the festival’s long term sustainability," said festival representatives. "Sound Summit [are] currently seeking out a range of funding and partnership options within a revised business plan." With a history spanning over 13 years, it's definitely a cause worth fighting for. Originally held in Newcastle as part of the This is Not Art Festival (TiNA), Sound Summit has since made a name for itself in the realm of experimental and alternative music; and looked to be on the rise after expanding to Sydney just last year. The 2013 lineup boasted the likes of Oval (Germany), Tyvek (US), Heatsick (UK), Angel Eyes, Bushwalking, The Stevens, Ooga Boogas; and past years have seen bigger names such as Aloe Blacc and Ariel Pink. Times are tough all 'round for festivals these days with the cancellation of Harvest, Homebake and Pyramid at the end of last year alone. Throw in the ongoing drama with the Big Day Out/pretty much anything AJ Maddah touches, and the outlook doesn't look great. Sound Summit, for the moment at least, are staying resilient. Festival co-director Liza Harvey will be conducting an in-depth review of the festival to find a way to stay afloat and MusicNSW are on the lookout for any feedback from ex-festivalgoers that can help. They will also be holding smaller isolated events through the year, to ensure an ongoing platform for innovative new artists. If anyone out there's solved the problem facing Australian festivals, feel free to speak up now. For the moment at least, we got nothin'.
Fancy hitting the road for a camping adventure, but don't have quite the right wheels for it? Before you fork out the big bucks to hire from a rental company, meet Camplify — a new Aussie sharing platform for campervans and RVs that works a bit like Airbnb. Using the peer-to-peer rental platform, owners can rent out their vehicles when they're not in use (read: gathering dust in the garage). As for hirers, they can get a taste of caravanning life whenever they like, without actually having to own one themselves. Each party has a Camplify profile, owners approve each hire and reviews are exchanged via the platform. The prices are reasonable too, starting at around $30 per night for a standard camper trailer. A caravan will cost you about $80, while that top-of-the-line luxury motorhome you hire for a romantic weekend getaway might see you stretching to $500. For minimal effort, you can even have the vehicle and gear set up for you at a campsite or holiday park, so it's holiday-ready as soon as you rock up. Insurance is covered in the cost, as well as Australia-wide roadside assistance from Camplify's mates at NRMA. Share your own caravan, or start planning that camping trip, over at Camplify.
All aboard the Catbus to a world of whimsy and imagination: the best of Studio Ghibli is coming to a theatre near you. Featuring recent films The Wind Rises and The Tale of Princess Kaguya, alongside adored classics My Neighbour Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies, the special two-week season, which also includes a pair of behind-the-scenes documentaries, will play on selected screens around the country, highlighting the legacy of Japan's most famous animation house, one that has been working its magic on audiences for near on 30 years. In celebration of the studio's wonderful stable of work, here's five underappreciated Ghibli films you owe it to yourself to see. If you love Totoro and Spirited Away, then these should be right up your alley. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6zhLBe319KE NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WINDS (1985) Although technically made before the studio's foundation, Nausicaa is still generally considered the beginning of the Ghibli cannon. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which a young sky-sailing princess must help maintain peace between neighbouring kingdoms as well as the fearsome behemoths that roam the toxic wastes. While the plotting is a little rougher than many of the studio's later works, all of Miyazaki's storytelling signatures are here, from his self-reliant female protagonist to his strong environmental and anti-war themes, as well as his life-long fascination with flight. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4vPeTSRd580 GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988) Released the same year as My Neighbour Totoro, Isao Takahata's first film under the Ghibli banner is a significant departure from the more fanciful films of his co-founder Miyazaki. Adapted from the novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, the film follows two siblings, 14-year-old Seita and his infant sister Setsuko, as they struggle to survive during the last months of the Second World War. The grim subject matter is juxtaposed with moments of incredible animated beauty, both of which are guaranteed to have you sobbing buckets by the time the movie ends. Grave of the Fireflies remains one of the best anti-war films ever made, and perhaps the most emotionally affecting entry in the studio's body of work. PORCO ROSSO (1992) Another anti-war film, but with a very different tone, Porco Rosso recounts the exploits of a WWI ace fighter pilot now making his living as a bounty hunter in the Adriatic sea. The wrinkle? Thanks to a mysterious (and never fully explained) curse, Porco has been transformed into a talking, anthropomorphic pig. Originally written as an in-flight short film for Japan Airlines, Miyazaki was inspired by the breakout of the war in Yugoslavia to expand his script into a feature. The result is a mix of swashbuckling comic adventure and critical commentary on the looming threat of fascism. It's an odd blend to be sure, but the final product works like a charm. PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997) When Harvey Weinstein considered editing Princess Mononoke for US audiences, Ghibli producers reportedly sent the American studio boss a katana sword in the mail along with a two-word note: "no cuts". A historical epic infused with breathtaking images from Japanese mythology, this tale of demons, spirits, heroes and warrior princesses once again sees Miyazaki challenging traditional gender norms and pushing a strong environmental message, while also adding another string to his bow with some stirring samurai action. One pertinent side note: the director announced back in '97 that Mononoke would be his final film. He ended up going back on that just four years later with Spirited Away, the studio's most beloved and successful work. In other words, take his recent retirement claims with a healthy dose of salt. FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (2011) Still, if Miyazaki Sr. does close up shop, it's comforting to know the family business is in capable hands. Hayao's son Goro began his Ghibli career on ignominious terms, with the fairly awful Ursula Le Guin adaptation Tales from Earthsea. But his follow-up, the bittersweet coming-of-age story From up on Poppy Hill, demonstrates a great deal more promise. Set in a small coastal town during the early 1960s, Poppy Hill tells the story of Umi, who each day raises signal flags for her father, lost at sea during the Korean War. The film's loving recreation of period Japan, along with its slice-of-life plotting, makes it seem closer to Takahata's films than the fantasies of Goro's father. Even so, it's nice to think that the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree.
With social networks now pivotal for most businesses, entrepreneurs, artists and pretty much anybody with an Internet connection, it's not surprising that new websites are popping up more often than ever. The latest website to gain some real momentum around the world is Pinterest, a 'digital scrapbooking' website that lets you present and organise all of your interests and share them with the world. Users cluster their favourite things into small boards such as 'food' and 'music', with each interest receiving a neat image and hyperlink if applicable. Building upon the aesthetic appeal of visually-based websites such as Instagram and the sharing capabilities of Facebook, Pinterest has all the correct elements to become a huge success. In late 2011, it broke into the Top 10 most popular social media websites, and its recent growth has seen it become a bigger traffic referrer for women's websites than Facebook and Twitter in the U.S. However, if the revolving door of social media has taught us anything, it's that websites can fall just as fast as they skyrocket, and that trends can be embraced fully before fading into obscurity. The biggest challenge for Pinterest will be keeping up with technology and offering users greater ways to integrate the website with their daily routines and ideas. There are 12 million American users of Pinterest, and an overwhelming 83% of those are female. Complying with traditional gender stereotypes, the most popular Pinterest profiles are largely focused on fashion, decoration and interior design. This overwhelming dominance of female users has even caught the attention of the US Army, who are looking to Pinterest as a source for more women to join the ranks. Pinterest's simplicity and organisation have made it a joy to explore when online. Many companies have already taken to 'board hacks' in order to slice their favourite images and present them in creative ways. Like all effective social media websites, this allows users to personalise their pages with great innovation. Will you jump aboard the Pinterest bandwagon? Concrete Playground has already started to fill the Pinterest boards with all the best and brightest cultural news. Follow us here and share the love.
If you're an Australian or New Zealander who has spent the COVID-19 pandemic fantasising about a Greek getaway, your dream holiday is now one step closer. As part of the European nation's gradual reopening to tourists, Greece has revealed that it'll allow visitors from 29 countries to enter the country from June 15, including from Australia and New Zealand. As announced by Greek Minister of Tourism Haris Theocharis, Greece's borders will reopen in mid-June to residents from Down Under, as well as to folks from Albania, Austria, Northern Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Japan, Israel, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Oman, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Finland. That list of countries is expected to expand from July 1. In a statement, the minister advised that "the list of 29 countries was formed after a study of the epidemiological profile of the countries of origin of tourists". Australia and New Zealand both currently boast low coronavirus case numbers — an average of 12 new cases each day in Australia over the past week, and only one active case in NZ as at 9am on Friday, May 29 — with the two nations now easing out of their respective lockdowns. Flights will be allowed into Athens and Thessaloniki airports, the Greek Minister also revealed in an interview, and visitors could be subject to sample COVID-19 testing. The news comes as Greece continues to ease its coronavirus restrictions, with the country's reopening plans announced in early May, and limits on leaving the house, exercising, shopping, work and schools gradually lifting. Restaurants and year-round hotels will be allowed to open from June 1. Of course, being allowed to enter a foreign country such as Greece is only one part of the equation for eager travellers from Down Under. Being allowed to leave Australia or New Zealand for a holiday is another matter entirely. In Australia, a travel ban is still in place, with Aussies unable to depart the nation unless they seek an exemption from Home Affairs. And in New Zealand, the government still currently advises that all New Zealanders do not travel overseas at present. For further details about Greece's eased tourist restrictions, visit the Greek Ministry of Tourism website.
For those of you who want to transform your morning walk into a catwalk, the lovechild of activewear brand Jaggad and high fashion mogul J'Aton Couture has just the outfit for you with their new collaboration. Launching November 10, the team-up's new activewear line is touted as 'haute couture meets high-performance wearability', and features an undeniably striking line of leggings, crop tops and muscle tanks. Described as a "capsule collection of activewear for the everyday consumer", with prices ranging from $79.95 for rose gold running shorts to $159.95 for the Baroque Contour 7/8 leggings, the line certainly isn't for the shallow-pocketed. For the Melbourne couture house with only 100–150 dresses being produced each year for high profile women around the world including Nicole Kidman, Poppy Delevingne, Ellie Goulding and Margot Robbie, J'Aton claims the collaboration is an opportunity to reach a wider audience. Whether or not this audience will necessarily be able to splurge for a $160 'panelled–bodice' running jacket is another question, but there would certainly be few who would turn down the opportunity to look this flashy in the weights section. J'Aton have also been the recipients of many prestigious awards, including the 2009 Prix de Marie Claire Awards for Best Eveningwear Designers. It remains to be seen if this line could score the 2016 'Best Leggings to Squat In' Award. The capsule collection is available online and in-store at Jaggad stores and extended local retailer boutiques from November 10, 2016.
Some people like to sit at home with their feline friends, soaking in their purrfect company. Others prefer to head to a cat cafe and cuddle up to a whole room filled with kitties. And, others still might fancy walking in their paws and getting a sense of their point of view. As well as offering some feline-themed fun, that's what Australia's first cat-themed human obstacle course is designed to do. In case the concept isn't clear, or your kitty-loving head is already seeing visions of mice, the Felix Clever Cat-a-thon lets two-legged people run, jump, climb, hang, claw and pounce like their favourite four-legged creatures, all while navigating a 16m long, inflatable space the event is calling "the most cunning human-sized cat obstacle course ever devised". While in feline mode, they'll compete against each other for glory. Think '90s TV show Gladiators, but with people acting like kittens. Two Cat-a-thons are currently slated, so folks in both Sydney and Melbourne can join in. The former takes over Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal on November 12 and 13, while the latter takes place at Queensbridge Square, Southbank on November 26. Yep, if you've ever wanted to claw your way up onto a window sill, weave through breakable items, climb onto kitchen counters and more cat-like antics, this is your chance. Dressing up like your favourite mouser is recommended, of course. Eating lasagne like Garfield beforehand, not so much. The Felix Clever Cat-a-thon takes place at Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal on November 12 and 13, and Queensbridge Square, Southbank on November 26. For more information, visit the event website. Image: Steve Garner.
With every new project, MAD Architects live up to their name with increasing conviction. Thanks to them we now have curvy skyscrapers in Canada, Hutong Bubbles in Beijing and an 'irregular nucleus' serving as a museum in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. Now, the futuristic and nature-oriented studio has developed an art museum that's actually an artificial island. Currently under construction, the Pingtan Art Museum will soon house Asia's largest private art collection, which consists of over one thousand items. The museum will be attached to the Island of Pingtan by what the architects describe as a 'slightly undulating pier, which, in turn, bridges artificial and natural, city and culture, as well as history and future'. As the biggest island in China's Fujian province, and the Chinese island closest to Taiwan, Pingtan looks set to become an important point of communication (for both trade and culture) over the next decade. The museum will become the centre of a new city that is still under planning. MAD describes the architecture as inextricably linked with surrounding organic forms: 'The sea, the beach, the oasis and the slope all interconnect with each other, forming a harmonious capacious space with the mountains in the distance,' they explain. 'The building is constructed with concrete that is blended with local sand shells. The indoor space, formed by the rise and fall of the formal movements, looks similar to ancient caves.' [via the creators project]
If there is ever a time to heed the advice of a seasoned crocodile handler, dive instructor and underwater photographer, it is on your trip to tropical north Queensland. Having literally grown up on the Great Barrier Reef (her family owns and runs a crocodile park there), Jemma Craig, now 25 and Instagramming as @islandjems, knows the ins and outs of the region, famous for its rainforests, relaxed style and that sweeping, threatened stretch of coral reef. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In north Queensland, we've called in Jemma, whose favourite things to do in her extended backyard range from cruising in Australia's most awarded dive liveaboard catamaran to self-guided exploration of underground caves. A stay in one of Pullman's four five-star properties in north Queensland — whether Port Douglas, Palm Cove or Cairns — will not only let you bliss out in their pools, spas and sunloungers, it will put you in the thick of all this action. Read on for Jemma's favourite things to do on land and sea in north Queensland in her own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. CORAL SEA SAFARI — MIKE BALL EXPEDITIONS One trip on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions' luxury liveaboard Catamaran, the MV Spoilsport, and you'll see why they're on the top of my list. Spoilsport is Australia's most awarded dive liveaboard, custom built for diving and with a twin-hull design that maximises space, stability and comfort. Their trips take you far from home into the rarely visited Coral Sea and all the incredible deep reefs it has to offer, to the remote Lizard Island and back down the spectacular Ribbon Reefs to Cairns. If you don't dive, these trips alone are a reason to start. MARINELAND CROCODILE PARK Where else in the world can you come face to face with a living dinosaur while relaxing on a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef? Green Island's Marineland Crocodile Park is the home of Cassius, the Guinness World Record-holding Australian crocodile, and this is your opportunity to get close to a 5.5m croc, along with many other reptiles and sea life. My family founded this park in 1972 and I was lucky enough to grow up here — I love that it is hidden away from the tourists and that the island also boasts diving, water sports and arguably the best snorkelling in the area. [caption id="attachment_643370" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] by Zang Fan[/caption] TURTLE SPECTACULAR — MIKE BALL DIVE EXPEDITIONS Mike Ball's Turtle Spectacular Expedition is perfect for the summer months — green turtle nesting season on Raine Island, a remote national park at the very tip of Australia that is home to 70 percent of the world's nesting green turtles and can only be visited by a lucky few guests each year. The trip takes you to the Coral Sea, the remote Lizard Island, and then into the wild northern Great Barrier Reef and Raine Island. Dive on the most pristine coral reef flat I've ever laid my eyes on, and be surrounded by the largest turtles you've ever seen in your life. PORT DOUGLAS, CAPE TRIBULATION AND THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST Port Douglas is a town on the Coral Sea in tropical far north of Queensland. It's known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest. In town, Macrossan Street is lined with boutique shops and quaint restaurants. The white sands of Four Mile Beach stretch off into the horizon, and you can visit the incredible Opal Reef for a snorkel. Further north you can visit Cape Tribulation, which offers walking routes and boardwalks through the jungle and mangroves, and a historical ridge trail on Mount Sorrow. UNDARA LAVA TUBES Set in the Gulf Savannah country in tropical north Queensland, Undara National Park is a bit of a drive from Cairns inland into the outback but is worth it for the unique opportunity it offers. Its main attraction are the lava tubes, which were formed by volcanic activity approximately 189,000 years ago. They are among the largest and longest of this type of lava cave on the planet, and the guided tours really make you appreciate this fascinating geological formation. There's also the option to stay here overnight — in an antique railway carriage, no less. FITZROY ISLAND Fitzroy Island is a gem, close to the coast and only a short ferry ride from Cairns. It's an unspoiled tropical paradise of rainforest and beaches within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Discover spectacular walking trails in the national park with abundant marine life and local wildlife. Visit the pristine Nudey beach or take a romantic walk to the hidden waterfall. Fitzroy has campgrounds and a boutique resort so stay a night or two and explore everything it has to offer. TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PARK If you've only ever had limited interaction with Indigenous Australian culture, Tjapukai is a must. You can visit day or night to taste native foods and be led in activities such as boomerang throwing. Performances are a key part of the experience, as the park was built around theatre and dance shows devised with the local Djabugay people. The park lies claim to being the largest Indigenous employer of any tourism enterprise in Australia, with more than two-thirds of the team coming from Aboriginal backgrounds. THE CRYSTAL CAVES Located a short drive out of Cairns up into the Atherton tablelands, the Crystal Caves offer guests an interactive tour of a truly unique underground cave system. Visitors are able to explore at their leisure — seeing and touching the ancient treasures of the earth. You are given a miner's helmet, a light and a comprehensive map with printed guide before you set off on your self-guided tour. This is a truly special experience that only a few places in the world offer. KURANDA VILLAGE A short distance from Cairns is the mountain village of Kuranda. It's known for the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which winds along forested hillside tracks carved out by early settlers. Kuranda offers a vibrant arts and crafts culture, with quaint little stalls and a colourful market running through the rainforest. Enjoy some homemade ice cream or candy and visit one of the many Wildlife Habitats Kuranda has to offer. Travel via shuttle bus, car, Skyrail or Kuranda's Scenic Train. SKYRAIL RAINFOREST CABLEWAY You're in the tropics now, so how fitting to go hang out in the jungle for a little while. The Kuranda Skyrail offers you the opportunity to glide above the treetops in a secured windowed gondola running along an 8km cableway through the Barron Gorge and the Kuranda Range Rainforest. Glass-floored and open-air gondolas are also on offer. The Skyrail has won a number of tourism and sustainability awards, and provides a unique link between the bustle of Cairns City and the beautiful jungle village of Kuranda. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
Putting such stationary, non-bouncy arts venues as the Sydney Opera House to shame, Ark Nova is the world’s first-ever inflatable concert hall. The striking travelling structure, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and British artist Anish Kapoor, was created to act as a kind of morale boost for regions affected by the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, where it is currently touring. Capable of seating 500 people, the structure is 18 metres tall and externally resembles a large, shiny eggplant (or a giant jelly donut, depending on your perspective). Spreading out across 720 square-metres, the hall features benches made from tsunami-damaged cypress trees and a large white helium balloon above the stage that acts as both a sound and light reflector. The venue is not the easiest structure to manage. It was difficult to get the acoustics right. Air needs to be constantly sent in through an external vent. There’s no temperature control and it’s pretty sensitive to wild wind and weather conditions. But its designers believe the challenge to keep it up and running is worth it. In a statement about the project, Kapoor said, “Music can give solace and bring community together and in so doing can help us to see we are not alone.” Via Spoon & Tamago.
You can now bring a bit of the beach into your home while passing the time in lockdown, with a new set of jigsaw puzzles featuring some of the city's most picturesque coastal spots. Similar to the immensely popular Australian Unseen puzzles, local photographer Dharma Bendersky and his gallery Salty Gallery have turned his stunning shots of Sydney beaches into 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. There are currently six idyllic puzzles on offer from Salty Gallery, featuring Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Little Bay and Sydney Harbour. "I started selling puzzles last year as a way to share my photography in a new way and at a lower cost point," Bedersky says. "Last summer on a 40 degree-plus day I did a photoshoot from a helicopter, and ended up with some fantastic aerial shots of the eastern suburb beaches; so for this most recent puzzle collection I used a selection of these images." Each puzzle is $59, includes free shipping Australia-wide, can be delivered internationally, and are shipped in eco-friendly compostable bags. If you've worked your way through all six puzzles or you're a fan of concrete-covered bays, Bedersky plans to unveil more designs featuring Maroubra, Clovelly and other eastern suburb beaches later this year. You can also browse Salty Gallery photography collection online where you can purchase framed and unframed prints as well as beach towels. Salty Gallery jigsaw puzzles are available through the gallery's website.
In Australia's ongoing war on waste, different states have been implementing different bans and schemes at different times. That includes scrapping single-use plastic bags, bringing in container deposit schemes, and ditching straws, plastic cutlery and other disposable items — with the details and timing changing depending on where in the country you live. Single-use plastic bags were banned in Queensland in 2018 and Victoria in 2019, for instance, with NSW signalling its intention to do the same in the future. When it comes to container deposit schemes, NSW brought one in 2017, Queensland did in 2018 and Victoria's is set to start in 2023. And, after South Australia became Australia's first state to ban single-use plastics earlier this year, Queensland will follow in its footsteps from this September, while Victoria has set a launch date of 2023 there as well. At the national level, the Federal Government pledged back in 2018 that it'd ensure that 100 percent of the country's packaging is recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025. Earlier in 2021, it launched the National Plastics Plan, which brings forward that timeline in many instances to 2022. Now, at a meeting of the nation's environment ministers held yesterday, Thursday, April 15, agreement was reached regarding phasing out a range of single-use plastic items nationally. Set to be banned countrywide: lightweight plastic bags, and plastic straws, utensils and stirrers. The states have agreed to phase out eight "problematic and unnecessary" plastic product types under the National Waste Policy Action Plan, with expanded polystyrene food containers (such as cups and clamshells), expanded polystyrene loose fill and moulded packaging, and microbeads used in personal health care products also on the list. Other than coming to an agreement about the types of products to be banned and setting a 2025 deadline, no other firm details were released. In some cases, though — such as where individual states act earlier, or where the NPP has set an earlier date — a number of these items might be out of circulation sooner. Australia's states will also look to bring their respective container deposit schemes into line with each other, also by 2025. That'll include harmonisation regarding the size and types of containers that can be recycled, refund amounts and labelling standards. For more information about the Federal Government's National Plastics Plan, head to the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment website. Further details about the recent Environment Ministers Meeting discussion can also be found on the same department site.
This is not your average boat cruise. Chefs on the Harbour: The Vivid Edition is altogether more unique and luxe than anything else out there. For this year's Vivid Sydney festival, a series of famous chefs will take turns running an opulent superyacht's kitchen, serving up unique culinary creations as they cruise around the iconic Sydney Harbour. Local food lovers are all invited to join the five-course degustation dinners aboard The Jackson. The events are each on a Saturday night. Take to the waters on May 27, June 3, June 10 or June 17 to try one of these totally unique dining experiences. Each evening sees a different chef run the pass, with Nelly Robinson, Khanh Ong and Mark Olive already locked in. The final chef to round out this star-studded lineup will be announced soon, too. Keep an eye on The Jackson website for announcements. Nelly Robinson is known for his avant-garde and often kooky degustation menus — prepare for unbridled creativity on his night. Khanh Ong is loved for his infectiously upbeat personality and contemporary Asian cooking. Ong's menu will celebrate family feels and vibrant Vietnamese flavours. And Mark Olive — also known as the Black Olive — is a famous Aboriginal Australian chef who champions native ingredients. Olive will excite tastebuds and educate diners with his own five-course degustation, explaining the nutritional and medicinal properties found in many of these culturally significant native Australian ingredients. Tickets cost $399 per person and include a 3.5-hour beverage package featuring a Belvedere cocktail upon arrival, Tyrell's wines, Young Henrys beer and a heap of non-alcoholic options. But Chefs on the Harbour: The Vivid Edition isn't only about spectacular food, drinks and views. As it is a part of Vivid Sydney, The Jackson crew has joint forces with Fernando Barraza, the Creative Director of Cirkus Bizurkus, to take it all to the next level. Prepare for light shows, art installations, roaming entertainers, red carpet violinists and so much more. If you love fine food, experiential art experiences and fabulous views, you best consider adding Chefs on the Harbour: The Vivid Edition to your list of must-book Vivid Sydney events. Head to The Jackson's website to purchase tickets to Chefs on the Harbour: The Vivid Edition before they sell out.
Whether you loved it, were intrigued by it, or didn't warm to its absurdist scenario, The Lobster was one of the most intriguing films to grace cinemas screens in 2015 (for the record, we're in the first camp). What does a filmmaker do once he's made a Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly and Olivia Colman-starring dystopian flick about single folks being forced to attend a romance bootcamp to find love within 45 days — and get turned into the animal of their choosing if they fail? If you're Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, you make a TV dark comedy starring Kirsten Dunst. On Becoming a God In Central Florida will focus on "the cult of free enterprise and one woman's relentless pursuit of the American Dream in the early '90s," as first reported in Deadline. Fresh from trifling with frosty crime in the Fargo television series, Dunst will play recently-widowed Orlando water park employee Krystal Gill, who "lies, schemes and cons her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise — the cultish, flag-waving, multibillion-dollar pyramid scheme that drove her to ruin in the first place." The show is being developed by AMC, aka the American network behind the likes of Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, and will be executive produced by George Clooney. There's no word yet on any other cast members. Still, as is always the case when it comes to the helmer behind not only The Lobster, but unconventional (to say the least) family drama Dogtooth and 2012 Sydney Film Festival winner Alps, it sounds mighty interesting. Alas, Lanthimos isn't writing the script, so it mightn't be quite as weird as his big screen ventures — which will also include the surgeon-centric The Killing of a Sacred Deer with Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Alicia Silverstone sometime this year. If you're wondering, yes, the worlds of film and television are continuing to collide, not that they were ever really that separate to begin with. Add On Becoming a God In Central Florida to your must-see small screen list for an as-yet-unannounced date in the future, alongside a heap of other shows with movie ties — such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; the What We Do in the Shadows spinoff; Studio Ghibli's first TV show, Ronja the Robber's Daughter; and every other flick you can think of that's either already getting or is bound to receive the television treatment. Via Deadline.
Master sommelier Madeline Triffon describes Pinot Noir as 'sex in a glass', while winemaker Randy Ullom calls it 'the ultimate nirvana'. One of the most challenging grapes in the world of vinification, it's also one of the most surprising and rewarding. No wonder Bottle Shop Concepts — the good folk who brought Game of Rhones our way in June — are coming back to town with Pinot Palooza, an epic travelling wine festival celebrating all things Pinot Noir. For just one day, wine connoisseurs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will have the chance to sample more than 150 drops, direct from the Southern Hemisphere’s best producers. Think Ata Rangi, Yabby Lake, Bay of Fires, Rippon, Kooyong, Mount Difficulty — and that’s just the first few leaves on the vine. Whether you’re a newbie who wants to start with something light and inviting, or a Pinot pro ready for the biggest, most complex mouthful on the menu, there’ll be an abundance of selections at either end — and plenty along the spectrum, too. You’ll even be able to vote for your favourite and go in the draw to win some wine-driven prizes. If, at any point, you need to take a pause in your tasting adventures, you’ll be able to pop into the Alfa Romeo Lounge. There’ll be cosy places to sit and mull over your chosen Pinot, loads of food and the epic Burgundy Bar – a kind of Pinot Noir mecca where you’ll be able to sample bottles worth $150+ at affordable, by-the-glass prices. Expert sommeliers will also be on hand to help you make selections. What's more, those keen to fuel their brains (and not only their taste buds), can indulge in a 'Back Stage Pass'. It's a chance to partake in a master class with some of Australia's smartest wine educators and learn all about what's happening in Burgundy, France — Pinot Noir’s spiritual home. Pinot Palooza will hit Melbourne on Saturday, October 4 at St Kilda Town Hall, Sydney on Monday, October 6 at Carriageworks and Brisbane on Sunday, October 12 at Light Space. Tickets are $60, which includes tastings, a take-home Riedel 'Heart to Heart' Pinot Noir glass and the latest issue of Wine Companion magazine. You can buy tickets right here.
Since first making the jump from the page to the screen in 2019, The Boys has never been afraid to splash OTT violence — gory carnage, too — across its frames. The same proved true in 2020's second season and 2022's third, and also in college-set spinoff Gen V in 2023. That isn't changing in The Boys season four, which will hit streaming in June. But the show will reckon with why fights and frays (and killing as well) are always a solution for its characters, no matter whether they're meant to be good or evil. "Look, we've all done bad shit. What's insane is that our solution to every problem is murder," says Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid, Oppenheimer) in the fourth season's just-dropped full trailer, which follows an initial teaser back in 2023. "Violence isn't brave," he continues. The counterpoint, coming from The Deep (Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl): "violence is power". Fans will know that Hughie is part of the show's titular crew, becoming a member after his girlfriend died at the hands of a superhero. The Deep sits among the caped crusaders and, specifically, The Seven. The latter is comprised of the superheroes that are placed above all superheroes in this vision of a world where superpowers are a regular occurrence, and therefore where the kinds of tales that Marvel and DC bring to cinemas and TVs are real. Chaos is still set to ensue, of course, as this new glimpse at season four makes plain. Cue: a supe-slaying virus and superheroes as "wrathful gods", for starters. The Boys' latest episodes will begin streaming Down Under from Thursday, June 13. The season will also see its world dealing with Homelander (Antony Starr, Guy Ritchie's The Covenant)-versus-Starlight (Erin Moriarty, Captain Fantastic) factionalism, and just being ready to tear itself apart in general. Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit, Where'd You Go, Bernadette) is getting closer to the Oval Office, too, with Homelander pulling the strings. Also on the way: no-nonsense Brit Billy Butcher (Karl Urban, Thor: Ragnarok) facing the fact that he's only got months left, and that he's no longer leading The Boys — aka the eponymous ragtag team intent on bringing down Vought International, Homelander, and the company's caped-crusader industry and dominance. And, there's a new face, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) joining the cast, adding another Supernatural link after Jensen Ackles did the same in season three. The Boys has always stood out as an antidote to narratives about powerful folks who are supposedly better than most, by both parodying and questioning that very idea. Here, superheroes work for Vought. They're still the main form of entertainment, but they're real, the most famous celebrities there are and inescapable in daily life. While The Seven are the absolute top talent, most are hardly role models when the public isn't looking. That has made quite the change from the usual cinematic universes as the Prime Video show has kept notching up the seasons, all coming to the small screen from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comics series of the same name. As well as Quaid, Crawford, Starr, Moriarty, Doumit and Urban, Jessie T Usher (Smile), Laz Alonso (Wrath of Man), Tomer Capone (One on One), Karen Fukuhara (Bullet Train), Colby Minifie (I'm Thinking of Ending Things) and Cameron Crovetti (Goodnight Mommy) all return — with Susan Heyward (Hello Tomorrow!) and Valorie Curry (The Lost Symbol) set to be season four newcomers. Check out the full trailer for The Boys season four below: The fourth season of The Boys will start streaming via Prime Video from Thursday, June 13, 2024. Read our reviews of The Boys season three and Gen V.
Nicolas Cage can do anything and he has the filmography to prove it, spanning standout performances playing ex cons, con men, heartbroken lumberjacks, a version of Spider-Man, lonely paramedics, kooky dads milking alpacas, John Travolta, Elvis obsessives and himself. He made a mighty fine — and unhinged — undead obsessive back in 1988's Vampire's Kiss, too, which is the one Cage movie everyone needs to see if they only ever watch one Cage movie. And, 35 years later, he's now giving Dracula the good ol' Cage spin. This might be one of the rare instances where Nicolas Cage sucks — but on purpose and in a good way, of course. Cage playing Dracula is a next-level idea, as sits at the heart of Renfield, which focuses on the titular minion and his toxic relationship with his bloodsucking boss. Giving audiences two Nicks for the price of one, Renfield boasts The Great's Nicholas Hoult as eponymous character, who is getting unsurprisingly tired of doing his master's bidding. Catering to a vampire's every whim for centuries, even when you're given considerable powers in return, is losing its bite for the literary offsider — who, like the Count himself, does indeed hail from Bram Stoker's iconic horror novel. But ending that relationship isn't going to be easy in Renfield, as both the first sneak peek earlier in 2023 and the just-dropped latest trailer make clear. The film's namesake is already doubting his allegiances to the Dark One and the Lord of Death when he crosses paths with traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and sparks fly — just as his employer does. Accordingly, in two early glimpses that big on camp, Renfield mixes up its horror-comedy by giving its lead a love interest. And, if you're feeling shades of Hugh Grant in Hoult's performance, you're not alone. So far, Cage's Dracula doesn't run around the streets shouting "I'm a vampire! I'm a vampire! I'm a vampire!", as Cage did in Vampire's Kiss. Whether that ends up happening in Renfield won't be seen Down Under until the end of May. Filmmaker Chris McKay (The Lego Batman Movie) sits in the director's chair here, working with a script by Rick and Morty writer Ryan Ridley based on an idea by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman (an idea straight from everyone's dreams, too). And, joining Cage, Hoult and Awkwafina on-screen is a cast that also spans Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty) and Adrian Martinez (The Guilty). Check out the latest trailer for Renfield below: Renfield releases in cinemas Down Under on May 25.
As a drama series, Squid Game might've been the 2021 success that no one knew was coming, but everything that's followed the Netflix hit's popularity doesn't fall into the same category. Of course a second season was greenlit. Of course a television show about 456 people competing to win big was going to spawn a reality TV version that riffed on the concept, but without the death. And of course that IRL take, aka Squid Game: The Challenge, was going to score a second go-around itself. Squid Game: The Challenge arrived for season one in mid-November, dropping its ten episodes in three batches. Ahead of the finale releasing, Netflix has revealed that more is on the way. Keen to take part next time? The streaming platform has also opened the signup process for green tracksuit aficionados. So, let the games begin for a second time, with Squid Game: The Challenge still getting its 456 players competing for a huge cash prize while wearing the appropriate attire, being overseen by red-clad figures, and playing hopscotch, marbles, sugar honeycombs and tug of war. Again, there's no murder, but much otherwise takes its cues, look and feel from its inspiration. If you're one of the hordes of viewers who watched Squid Game when it instantly became one of the best new TV programs of 2021, as we all are, then you'll understand how Squid Game: The Challenge plays out even without the compete-to-the-death angle. The outfits, the games, the decor, the music and, yes, the notorious Red Light, Green Light doll: they're all accounted for. And the prize? $4.56 million, aka the biggest cash prize in reality-show history, which will be the case again in season two. How does it work? Again, you already know the details. Those 456 folks — all ordinary people, and not actors — try to score the $4.56 million by playing a series of games inspired by the extremely fictional South Korean thriller, as well as a few new additions. Also, competitors are eliminated as the games go on, and forming strategies and alliances plays a huge part. So, Squid Game: The Challenge is clearly designed to get as close to the OG Squid Game as possible, just without the body count. It's all overseen by a Front Man, too, because of course it is. Netflix has dubbed it "the biggest reality competition series ever" — and it certainly has the biggest cast. Making a gripping and brutal TV show that satirises capitalism, then bringing its games into real life does sound like something that might happen in Squid Game itself if the show was getting meta. Check out the trailer for the first season of Squid Game: The Challenge: Squid Game: The Challenge streams via Netflix. Season two doesn't yet have a release date, but we'll update you when it does. Squid Game's first season is available to stream via Netflix . Images: Netflix.
Coffin Flop fans, rejoice — we don't yet know if world's wildest supremely fictional TV series will make a new appearance when I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson returns for season three, but something else just as absurd and wonderful will either way. Will Corncob TV earn another mention? How awkward will this Netflix sketch comedy's namesake get? Which examples of the absolute worst behaviour will it satirise? Do you need to slop up some steaks while watching? How slicked-back is your hair right now? Expect to answer all of this and more on Tuesday, May 30. Baby, baby, baby, that's when one of the best comedies currently being made will return with six new episodes, as led by Detroiters star Tim Robinson. His surreal comic stylings have already gifted viewers hot dog suits, Garfield houses, tense plane encounters and babies who know you used to be a piece shit, and he has plenty more in store as the just-dropped trailer for the third season teases. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson first arrived in 2019 when, on one otherwise normal day, folks sat down on the couch, switched on their televisions, started scrolling through Netflix and came across an instant cult-hit comedy. The best sketch comedy of that year, and one of the best TV shows in general, too, the series' first season was ridiculously easily to binge — and flat-out ridiculous. You don't even need two hours to get through all six episodes but, once you're done, you'll wish that it went for at least twice as long. When season two arrived in 2021, it was just as phenomenal. OTT, hilarious, finding gags about a secret excuse to help men explain away pee stains on their pants, plus quite the loud and lurid shirt, and then a daggy hat — that's this series. Absolutely no one excavates, explores and satirises social discomfort with the gusto, commitment and left-of-centre viewpoint of Robinson, with his skits diving headfirst into excruciating situations, dwelling there and letting them fester. It's no wonder that the former Saturday Night Live comic has a hit on his hands. Just try looking away from his flexible facial expressions alone. That proves the case in the sneak peek, which is filled with multiple fake game shows, adult babies, fedoras, crying and Robinson at his silliest, and will already get you cringing as it's 100-percent designed to do. In season three, Robinson will again be joined by Will Forte (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), plus everyone from Jason Schwartzman (I Love That for You) and Fred Armisen (Barry) to Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and Tim Meadows (Poker Face). Sam Richardson (The Afterparty) is also back, once again giving Detroiters devotees a glorious reunion. The series also boasts some big names off-screen, with The Lonely Island (aka Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andy Samberg and his regular comedy partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) its executive producers. Check out the trailer for I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson season three below: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson's third season will be available to stream via Netflix from Tuesday, May 30. Images: Terence Patrick, Netflix.
"I've had it with these Marvel tales without Nick Fury as the lead" isn't something that Samuel L Jackson has publicly uttered, with or without Snakes on a Plane-style expletives, but viewers might've thought it over the past 15 years. The character that masterminded the Avengers Initiative initially appeared in 2008's very-first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reached cinemas earlier in 2023, the franchise hit 32 cinema outings to-date, many with Fury playing a part. And yet, none have had his name in their moniker. That remains the case now, and on the small screen as well, where the MCU has also been spreading its exploits. Secret Invasion is still exactly what Marvel has needed for over a decade, however: a Fury-centric story. Announced back in 2020, and arriving on Disney+ from Wednesday, June 21, this six-part miniseries has clearly been a long time coming. As hit and miss as it is so many years and titles in, and no matter whether it's unleashing superhero antics in picture palaces or at home, the MCU hasn't lacked highlights — Black Panther remains astonishing, Thor: Ragnarok is a comic wonder and Moon Knight brims with intrigue, for instance — but it's been doing itself a disservice by using Jackson as a supporting player. He's a post-credits scene mainstay. He's the saga's most familiar face, and a Marvel movie didn't feel like a true Marvel movie for quite the spell if he didn't pop up. He had more to do in Captain Marvel, which Secret Invasion uses as its key MCU touchstone. He's such a presence in Marvel's first small-screen series for 2023, though, that the last 15 years seem like a missed opportunity. Perhaps Disney realises that, too; Secret Invasion's first two episodes feature laments aplenty about Fury's absence. Within the ever-sprawling MCU's interconnected narrative, he's been AWOL lately for two reasons: The Blip, aka Avengers: Infinity War's consequential finger-snapping; and a stint since working in space, which'll get more attention when The Marvels drops on the silver screen in November 2023. Extraterrestrial race the Skrulls has noticed Fury's departure keenly, after he promised to help them find their own planet in Captain Marvel but hasn't followed through so far. Cue two factions of the shapeshifting refugees in Secret Invasion: those still waiting and others now willing to fight to take earth as their own instead. Cue far more Skrulls on Marvel's main base than humans, including Fury, know about as well. On the page, Secret Invasion was a crossover storyline, filtering through its own comic-book series plus other tie-ins, and involving many of the caped crusaders that've reached screens in recent decades (and not just in the MCU). When your adversary can ape anyone's face, even the most famous figures can be impersonated — and were. That isn't the spin that Mr Robot alum Kyle Bradstreet has given the scenario for Disney+, with the show's creator focusing on espionage, and the political ramifications, over faux superheroes. As helmed by The Calling's Ali Selim, Secret Invasion is a Cold War-esque, John le Carré-influenced spy thriller. Inciting conflict between Russia and the US is one of the rebel Skrulls' key aims, after all — and thanks to Berlin Station and The Looming Tower, respectively, Bradstreet and Selim know their chosen genre well. Marvel does adore picking a style and asking "what if the MCU did it?". Even just on Disney+, WandaVision riffed on family sitcoms, Hawkeye toyed with Christmas flicks, Ms Marvel went all in on coming-of-age narratives and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law opted for a case-of-the-week lawyer setup. Cloak-and-dagger activities aren't new to the saga — see: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow — but, without the dark comedy, Secret Invasion is almost in Slow Horses mode. Again and again, Fury is told that he's no longer in his prime. Among those with such harsh words: James 'Rhodey' Rhodes (Don Cheadle, White Noise), who now works for US President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney, Scream VI). And, although MI6's Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman, Empire of Light) is an old friend, she's skeptical that Fury still has what it takes. In the veteran's corner is the trusty Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders, How I Met Your Mother), plus his old Skrull pal Talos (Ben Mendelsohn, Cyrano). Working out of an old nuclear power plant and planning a dirty-bomb attack, insurrectionist leader Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir, One Night in Miami) sides with the naysayers, while fellow revolutionary G'iah (Emilia Clarke, Last Christmas) is caught in the middle. Of course, in any spy story, allegiances are never simple or straightforward — and, along with its serious mood, ample talk of global threats, dripping tension and paranoia, coded messages, stolen weapons, clandestine meetings, surprise reveals and rampant conspiracies, Secret Invasion leans heartily into that espionage-genre staple. Jackson, Cheadle, Colman, Mendelsohn, Clarke, Ben-Adir: that's a dream cast, and just the roster of talent that any movie or show would want battling over the fate in the world in heated conversations in murky corners. Bradstreet and Selim know this, with Secret Invasion capitalising upon it even when little but talk fills the screen, which is often. It's no wonder, then, that the series' best early moments spring from letting its on-screen stars bounce off each other. While Jackson is the first reason to press play, seeing his one-on-one pairings with Cheadle, Colman, Mendelsohn and Ben-Adir — especially Fury's initial reunion with Falsworth, and quite the showdown with Rhodey — plus Mendelsohn and Clarke together as well, is the reason to stay watching. In the MCU in general, and in the plethora of on-screen caped-crusader realms — the X-Men and Fantastic Four flicks, the DC Extended Universe and Sony's Spider-Man Universe — the fact that every actor ever is now part of the fold, or thereabouts, can feel dispiriting. With some talents in multiple role across multiple sagas, too, it's usually easier to name the stars that don't have a spandex-adjacent credit in today's predominant form of mass entertainment on their resumes. Like the Spider-Verse franchise, however, Secret Invasion inspires gratefulness about its cast. Even when Marvel's latest series is at its most formulaic, everyone here shines. They'd all achieve the same feat in a spy effort with zero MCU links, but whatever is bringing these performers together — and particularly letting Colman have such fun with a slippery part — is welcome. Check out the trailer for Secret Invasion below: Secret Invasion streams via Disney+ from Wednesday, June 21. Images: photos courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
If films like The Darjeeling Limited or Slumdog Millionaire weren’t enough to convince you that India should be your next travel destination, cyber architect James Law's new concept is sure to challenge your stance. The Aquaria Grande is a breathtaking residential complex design thought up by Law for real estate company, The Wadhwa Group, in Mumbai, India. Aesthetically and architecturally stunning, the signature features of the facility are the floating pools located at the edge of each apartment’s balcony. Although the pools may not be ideal for those of us who are prone to vertigo, The Aquaria Grande boasts 37 storeys of 200 luxurious, eco-conscious, energy efficient apartments. In the densely populated city of Mumbai, it provides a fresh new outlook on the direction of the architectural industry in India where there are increasing pressures on the land. Designs like James Law's are not only innovative but necessary to provide sustainable living in a increasingly developed city like Mumbai where cars and high rise buildings make the prospect of eco-friendly living fragile. By raising the bar on architectural aesthetics and design, the Aquaria Grande is sure to place India on the map in terms of the international architectural scene. Now all we need is someone to build one of these complexes in Australia.
It has been seven years in the making, but Splendour in the Grass is moving into its new digs — the North Byron Parklands — just 20 minutes north of NSW's Byron Bay. Securing a location for the winter pilgrimage has been a hazardous task over the last few years, which included a two-year stint in Rockford, Queensland from 2010-11. But today organisers announced that the long-intended permanent home is prepped and the 2013 festival dates are set for the weekend of July 26-28. Today's press announcement also teased at "the next chapter" for avid festival-goers as it settles into 660 idyllic acres. Like all things Byron, festival co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco emphasised staying true to their roots: "Onsite camping has always been a high priority for us. It creates a real sense of community at the show." Splendour has worked hard to earn its reputation for pulling the big internationals over the last few years — Coldplay, Kanye West, Jack White and '90s favourite Pulp are among the esteemed list of headliners past — while showcasing a strong Aussie punch in their lineups. The 2013 lineup announcement might be a little while off, but the question on our minds is, can we beat the 43-minute record sell-out time of last year?
In the space of just a few weeks, we've been promised appearances from Usher, Salt-N-Pepa and Eve for RnB Fridays, and Aqua and Vengaboys for a So Pop tour, along whole stack of others. But, just when you thought no more of your teenage dreams could come true, there's yet another juicy serve of musical nostalgia heading our way early next year. The next edition of RNB Vine Days is set to deliver a lineup that'll have you throwing back hard to the good ol' days. The one-day festival differs a little from the aforementioned arena spectaculars — instead of being held in stadiums, the concerts will take over wineries across the country. It makes sense — the tour comes from the same minds that brought you A Day on the Green. Similarly, RNB Vine Days will be all ages and bring with it a star-studded cast of old-school music icons. Hitting the stage this time around is none other than UK pop royalty Craig David, who'll be performing alongside his full live band. Brit-Canadian girl group All Saints will send you tripping back in time as they revisit smooth hits like 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores', while renowned rapper Nelly will be getting the crowd 'Hot In Herre' as he throws down previous gems like 'Dilemma', 'Ride Wit Me' and 'Just A Dream'. Singer-songwriter Amerie and RnB Fridays Live resident DJ YO! MAFIA round out the lineup, to be be enjoyed alongside a day of sunshine, gourmet eats and the venue's own signature wines. RNB VINE DAYS 2019 TOUR Saturday, February 2 — Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW Sunday, February 3 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD Saturday, February 9 — Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC Sunday, February 10 — Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale, SA Wednesday, February 13 — Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, WA RNB Vine Days will tour Australia in February 2019. Tickets go on sale here from 10am this Friday, November 2.
Smartwatch manufacturers Pebble have busted Kickstarter’s crowdfunding records, raising more than US$2 million in less than an hour. How did they raise so much so quickly? Ten thousands of 'early bird' donors each contributed US$159 in return for first dibs on the new Pebble Time watch, helping the company reach their target of US$500 000 in just 17 minutes. The figure currently sits at over US$7 million, which sort of begs the question: just how good can this thing possibly be? What's making so many buyers jump on board? First of all, it's not the first release. Pebble Time is the third generation Pebble watch. Upgrades from the second gen Pebble Steel include a colour screen and an inbuilt microphone, as well as perhaps most enticingly, a seven day battery life, significantly longer than competing Android Ware devices or the upcoming Apple Watch. Unlike those devices, however, the Pebble Time doesn’t have a touch screen, and is instead operated by three buttons on the right hand side of its display. On the flipside, it’s one of only a handful of smartwatches that is compatible with both iPhones and Androids — so Pebble doubles the buyer market. The Pebble store also currently boasts more than 6500 third-party apps, from timers and alarms to a Domino’s takeaway pizza tracker (although tragically, that one’s only available in the US). The success of the Kickstarter campaign can also be attributed to the discount offered to donors. Although the early bird option has already expired, a US$179 pledge now is still US$20 less than the recommended retail price of US$199, which you can expect to pay in stores when the watch becomes available in May. Lastly, Pebble have been here before. The company experienced similar crowdfunding success in 2012, when it burst onto the scene with a Kickstarter campaign that made a whopping US$10.3 million. At the end of the day, they're no spring chickens to a splash like this. Via The Guardian.
If your last couple of dates have consisted of dinner and a movie, or a few drinks at your local bar, it's time to spice things up a little. With the Sydney Festival rolling into town in January — transforming our city into a creative playground for three weeks — there are heaps of opportunities to take your date night game up a good couple of notches. Options for creative dates abound, with shows ranging from thought-provoking art exhibitions to mind-blowing circus and saucy burlesque. Crafting the perfect date can be a challenge, though, especially when there are so many options to choose from. To help ensure your date is a smashing success, we've designed three itineraries that are guaranteed to blow your significant other away. Choose from an afternoon of circusy excitement in Parramatta, an evening of photography and music in central Sydney or a night of freaky fun at the Meriton Festival Village. Each itinerary features some of the festival's best events and a meal at a partner restaurant that has special deals for festival goers (being a cultured being has its perks). Saturday date plans officially sorted. [caption id="attachment_641834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton.[/caption] AN AFTERNOON OF CIRCUSY FUN IN PARRAMATTA 1pm: Flying Trapeze Workshops, Prince Alfred Square Kickstart your date by taking it to the next level (literally) with a workshop by the Sydney Trapeze School. This two-hour class ($49 + booking fee) is geared towards beginners and will have you soaring through the air on a ten-metre-high trapeze rig practising your newly-acquired aerial skills in no time. 2.15 pm: Lunch at The Emporium Parramatta Learning to fly with the greatest of ease can be hard work. Reward yourselves with a leisurely lunch at The Emporium Parramatta. A short stroll across Lennox Bridge, this beautiful Mediterranean-influenced restaurant is serving up a $30 lunch for Sydney Festival goers. 3.30pm: Aerialize workshop, Riverside Theatre Once you're refuelled, head back to Circus City for some more acrobatic training at a free workshop by Sydney's premier circus training centre, Aerialize. Learn how to juggle, hula hoop or pick up some basic aerial skills in these hands-on classes that are open to all ages and abilities. 5.30pm: Backbone, Riverside Theatre After a full day of circus training and moving your body in ways you didn't realise you could, it's time to take a load off and see how the professionals do it. Backbone, by acrobatic troupe Gravity & Other Myths, is an incredible feat of collective strength, flexibility and stamina, highlighted by a lighting display shimmering ever-so-slightly and designed to keep you on the edge of your seat. After the performance, you may find yourselves so inspired you'll repeat this circusy day all over again. [caption id="attachment_642589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joel Chester Fildes.[/caption] AN EVENING OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND DANCE 4pm: Tell: Contemporary Indigenous Photography, UNSW Galleries Start your artsy date night with this ground-breaking photography exhibition, featuring works by 17 leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. This free show explores heritage and identity in unconventional forms, using cutting-edge photographic technologies to articulate the varied experiences of life as an Indigenous person in Australia. 5pm: In Your Dreams, UNSW Galleries Once you've thoroughly explored Tell, slide on over to In Your Dreams, the second photography show housed at the UNSW Galleries during the festival. This free photo and video exhibition sees renowned artists like Alejandro Cartagena, Sim Chi Yin and Andres Serrano addressing the pressing global themes of poverty, displacement and homelessness. 6.30pm: Dinner at Kindred Once you've had your fill of photography, stroll down Cleveland Street to Kindred. This cosy spot is the perfect place for you and your bae to go Lady and the Tramp over a big bowl of house-made pasta. Nestle in and get yourself some delicious nosh from the $30 Festival Feast menu. 8pm: Tree of Codes, ICC After dinner, hop in an Uber, direction: ICC, to see ballet Tree of Codes, inspired by novelist Jonathan Safran Foer's book of the same name. Not every ballet features dancers forming constellations, gramophone-shaped mirrors creating kaleidoscopic visuals, refractive and reflective surfaces making it appear as though performers are overlapping, and choreography created for every leaf in a 134-page text — but not every ballet is Tree of Codes. Top off your night with this stunning ballet from a stellar collaboration between Jamie xx, Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor and Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Only in Sydney for five days, you'll want to snag some tickets to this — your special someone will definitely thank you. [caption id="attachment_642182" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carnival Cinema.[/caption] A NIGHT OF WILD AND WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES AT THE MERITON FESTIVAL VILLAGE 7.30pm: Dinner at Madame Shanghai Start your night by wooing your significant other with dinner at Madame Shanghai, a gorgeous restaurant that's all dark wooden tables, wicker chairs and jade and gold accents aplenty. The menu ($55 for the Festival Feast) is equally good-looking, featuring dishes inspired by Shanghai-style street food and luscious cocktails. 9pm: Freaky Fun at the Meriton Festival Village Sideshow After dinner, head to the Meriton Festival Village for a few hours of kidulting at the Village Sideshow. This 'freaky fun' park is packed with a variety of wild and wonderful experiences that all but guarantee a memorable date night. Start with Ghost Train ($10), a virtual reality journey along a reimagined fairground ride where nostalgia meets the digital future to mind-blowing effect. Next, shake off the scares with a ride on the Karaoke Carousel ($5), where you can belt out your favourite hits as you ride a unicorn in circles. Round it all out with a ten-minute dance party ($5) in a converted shipping container — a brilliant concept that lets you experience the joys of a full night out in a minimal amount of time. 10.30pm: Briefs: Close Encounters, Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Meriton Festival Village Next up is Close Encounters ($70-80 + booking fee), the latest offering from the insanely popular Aussie boylesque troupe, Briefs. If you haven't seen these icons in action before, you're in for a treat. Expect a cheeky sci-fi spectacle performed with the troupe's characteristic combination of circus, comedy, drag, burlesque and contemporary dance. It's as creative, glamorous and thrilling as it sounds. Late: Finish off dancing to one of the nightly DJs If Close Encounters and the ten-minute party have got you in the mood for some dancing, head back to the Meriton Festival Village and get that bod on the dance floor. With DJs every night and a large bar area, you and your SO will be throwing shapes until the wee hours of the morning. It's bound to be a date night for the books. Top image: Jamie Williams. Looking for more things to do? Discover the best free things to do, some ace music events and even more on the Sydney Festival website.
If you love your AFL and you're a mad-keen Marvel Comics fan, today is a pretty good day. That's because, in a partnership with The Walt Disney Company Australia that few saw coming, Melbourne's Etihad Stadium is set to be renamed Marvel Stadium. An eight-year agreement between Disney and Melbourne Stadiums Limited will see the iconic Docklands sporting ground switch to its new moniker from September 1 this year — just in time for the AFL Grand Final. On top of the name change, the rebranding will also see a "premium" Marvel retail store installed on-site, and punters can prepare to see a number of brand activations when visiting the ground. "It is a brand dedicated to audience experiences, which firmly aligns with our vision to create incredible experiences for fans," said Melbourne Stadiums Limited CEO Michael Green said in a statement. "This partnership will allow us to take the stadium atmosphere to the next level and create memorable experiences for a vast array of audiences and we look forward to delivering a truly game-changing experience." Yeah, we never thought we'd see our interests in AFL and Marvel combine either.
Global fashion brand lovers have plenty to celebrate this week. After this week's news announcing international giant H&M's store opening in North Ryde's Macquarie Centre, Japanese fashion heavyweights UNIQLO are set to become neighbours with the Swedish clothing power. Launching their Spring/Summer 2014 collection at the Macquarie Centre, the masters of the puffy down jacket, UNIQLO, will find a snuggly new home in a gigantic 1514 square metre space. This is the second Sydney chapter for UNIQLO, following the Pitt Street pop-up launch in May (only running until September). UNIQLO first found its Australian roots with its Melbourne instalment in April this year, setting up a flagship store in Melbourne's colossal Emporium. The team haven't announced another Sydney CBD store yet, instead surprisingly announcing a second Victorian store in Chadstone shopping centre for September/October after meticulous target market pinpointing. "We’re very excited to be bringing UNIQLO to two great new locations in Sydney, now adding the Macquarie Centre to the list," said UNIQLO Australia CEO Shoichi Miyasaka. "Growing the brand in this market is obviously very important, and from what we’ve seen so far, Australians have responded really well to our offering." With Macquarie Business Park set to be Australia's fourth-largest business centre by 2031, seems Maquarie Centre is looking to become the Pitt Street Mall of the north-western suburbs, allegedly negotiating leases with Victoria's Secret, and Zara as well. These big name retailer openings usually come with some light eye-gouging and hair-pulling, so if you're that keen to head along, take some advice: wear a mouthguard. UNIQLO will open at Macquarie Centre, North Ryde on October 16 alongside its H&M neighbour. Via News Limited and Ragtrader.
Radiohead's headline performance at Coachella last night had fans at the Indio, California festival completely entranced. The world's greatest band played some of their classics along with songs from their two latest albums, The King of Limbs and In Rainbows. A ponytailed Thom Yorke was in fine form, getting the set underway with 'Bloom'. The 43-year old lead singer told the audience "You know those people who are only talking to you because they want something from you? You need to take a cold shower afterwards", then launched into an incredible rendition of 1997's 'Karma Police'. Luckily for music fans around the world, the Coachella YouTube channel has been live streaming three festival stages simultaneously, and Radiohead's full performance is now available to watch online at your leisure. You can also see the full set list at At Ease. [via Pitchfork]
Since Black Mirror started taking humanity's growing dependence upon technology, turning it into science-fiction nightmares, and turning those into must-see dystopian-themed TV, a strange phenomenon keeps occurring. Every time something bizarre happens — a reality television star becoming a world leader is just one example — it seems that Charlie Brooker's TV show got there first. "We're living in an episode of Black Mirror" has become a common statement on social media, and now London's Barbican Centre is making that claim a reality as part of its new sci-fi exhibition. Opening on June 3 and running through until September 1, 2017, Into the Unknown: A Journey Through Science Fiction will dive into everything that makes the genre so great, exploring sci-fi's attempts to answer the important questions of our time. Before immersing patrons in a wealth of thought-provoking material, it'll make them walk through a Black Mirror video installation, which will take over the Barbican's Silk Street entrance hall. The show's second-ever episode "Fifty Million Merits" is in the spotlight, and it's a fitting choice given that it probed just how obsessed we've all become with screens. Before he starred in this year's horror hit Get Out, Daniel Kaluuya was stranded in a society that rewards exercise with credits, shovels out mindless television a distraction while folks try to get fit, and judges those who don't work hard enough off-screen with the same viciousness it directs towards the contestants on TV. The more people work up a sweat on an exercise bike, the more points they earn, which helps them audition for the shows they're watching and get voted for, mocked, cheered and booed themselves. Yep, it's quite the cycle — and, in endeavouring to replicate the experience, clips will be displayed on six-foot-tall screens as visitors enter the exhibition. As far as bringing Black Mirror to life — well, more than is already proving the case, that is — it's one of the easier setups to copy; however it also sounds like quite the mind-bending sight to behold. For anyone that finds themselves in London later in the year, Into the Unknown will also feature all the sci-fi highlights you'd expect, spanning manuscripts by Jules Verne, props from the likes of Star Wars and Godzilla, and a new interactive work by the effects wizards behind Ex Machina and The Martian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jROLrhQkK78 Via IndieWire.
This weekend sees the opening of Marquee Sydney, the city's brand new superclub, brought to us by The Star. It's well known that The Star, formerly Star City casino, has been attempting to rebuild its image over the past year. They want you to see it as the kind of classy place jet-setters hang out at, as opposed to the image people had previously - over-priced drinks and square-eyed gamblers mechanically pressing buttons on pokie machines in a vast room that reeks of Brut and broken dreams. Marquee is the most anticipated part of their grand plan to erase that image. Marquee Sydney is being brought to us courtesy of nightlife operator Tao Group, which operates a number of superclubs in the US including the Marquee Nightclub and Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Marquee is promising to bring "a monumental change to Sydney's nightlife landscape." It's an unusual claim to make, given that Sydney's nightlife over the last few years has been focused on improving and innovating the small, boutique bar scene and creating the kind of places people can sit around in black skivvies reading books and drinking chardonnay - like Melbourne, if you will. And everyone has very much enjoyed the explosion of small bars, which provide a welcome alternative for those not so keen on side-stepping the drunken punch-ups outside Kings Cross nightclubs at three in the morning. Marquee is set to take up the entire top floor of the reinvigorated Star's new harbourside entrance. 20,000 square feet of floor space will host a 30-foot projection stage with an LED DJ booth and two dance floors, a "stylish library-style" lounge complete with a working fire place, a seperate DJ area on a patio, a chillout area and a unisex "bathroom lounge," which will surely be the most wholesome spot in the club. The VIP launch party this weekend will feature will.i.am and Afrojack of The Black Eyed Peas playing to 'celebrities' such as Nick Lachey, Ashlee Simpson and Paris Hilton.
Every meal is a happy meal at Queenies. But returning next month is the happiest meal of all: Queenies' Annual Stoner Dinner. The second such dinner in as many years, it's themed 'MacQueenies' and pays homage to that ever-reliable late-night institution that we will always have a soft spot in our hearts for: McDonald's. For $50 a pop, you'll forget what munchies even are with a finger-lickin' good seven-course MacMenu, including an obligatory double dessert (!!). The kitchen is putting a highly creative spin on your Golden Arches faves, serving up courses like Ditched Pickles with mustard salt and cheese fondue, a Little Big Feast, a Rib Mac Patty made from jerk pork parts and 'Smoked Chicken Nuggets' with "all the sauces". But how can Queenies beat Macca's desserts? With French Fries Ice Cream shot through with cookie swirl, that's how. And, leaving the Granny Smiths at home, the MacQueenies Deep Fried Pie combines drool-inducing guava, custard apple and jerk custard. Promising more satisfied bellies than ever, Queenies' Stoner Dinner is a tradition you'll want to make a habit. Give in to your wildest cravings and book it. MacQueenies takes place on Thursday, October 16. $50 a head — bookings essential. To reserve a spot email bookings@queenies.com.au or call (02) 9212 3035.
You know that feeling of unsurpassed joy you experience when you are eating at a restaurant and you see the waiter approaching your table with your dish? Good Food Month is that feeling. Spread out over a whole month. Spanning all October, Good Food Month celebrates the joy of food over many diverse platforms — ranging from markets to workshops, talks, tastings and completely unusual, unexpected, food-skewed events. It's also the time when restaurants that we probably couldn't afford open their doors with breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert specials. This year, Good Food month will feature Israeli food maestro Yotam Ottolenghi, who'll be doing an exclusive dinner, lunch and talk. The list of things to see (and, most importantly, eat) feels endless, so, as usual, we've handpicked the ten best events that you cannot miss if the thought of food makes you feel giddy with excitement. Read all about them here.
Australians love a spot of Flume on their Spotify playlists, with the Sydney producer taking out the most streamed spot on the music streaming giant, narrowing stealing the party crown from NZ neighbour Lorde. Celebrating its second birthday today in Australia, Spotify has released a bucketload of stats in one super scrollworthy infographic. In a staggering display of dazzle-by-numbers, Spotify Australia some nifty stats to brag about on its second anniversary since launching in 2012. Over 100 lifetimes or 8,200 years of music has been streamed on Spotify locally in last two years, with 27 million playlists created by Australians. Most of these — over 500k — have been made about love (mostly made by Victorians too). Big ol' saps. We also made more playlists about relaxing than exercise, with New South Wales picking up the Most Laidback State award and choosing to sit on their butts and bliss out rather than pumping up the jam. Australians (awesomely enough) love to stream local music, with Flume beating out international artists Avicii, Eminem and Daft Punk for top streamed artist, as well as the Crowded House of contemporary music, Lorde , who we'll inevitably claim as Australian. The top local artists after Flume were triple j explosion Vance Joy, falsetto dreamboat Matt Corby, hip hop heavyweights Bliss and Eso and the internationally-acclaimed The Temper Trap. Check out the rest of Spotify's Aussie stats below in a scroll happy wonderland of infographics and stream your guiltiest pleasure to wish the team a bon anniversaire.
Maybe your 21st birthday was the best night of your life. Or, perhaps you're still planning for the 21st to end all 21sts. Apologies to everyone in those two categories, plus everyone in general as well — because Splendour in the Grass' just-announced 21st-birthday lineup with Lizzo, Flume, Mumford & Sons, Lewis Capaldi and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has all other 21st shindigs beat. Lizzo was first unveiled as one of this year's Splendour headliners back in March, and now she has some good as hell company on the full — and huge — bill. When the fest returns to the North Byron Bay Parklands stage from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, the US rapper, songwriter, singer and flautist will top the Friday night, with Flume doing the same on the Saturday and Mumford & Sons following on the Sunday. Flume's set is an Australian exclusive, celebrating ten years since his self-titled album and coming after his recent Australian tour in late 2022. Mumford & Sons are also doing an Aussie-exclusive gig, after last heading our way in 2019. Among their ample company, Lewis Capaldi will take to the stage on the Friday night, while the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will play Saturday — making the trip to Australia after initially headlining 2022's Splendour in the Grass lineup, but cancelling in the lead up. Music lovers hitting Byron Bay can also look forward to Hilltop Hoods, Sam Fender, J Balvin, Slowthai, Little Simz, Idles and Tove Lo, plus Arlo Parks, Ball Park Music, 100 Gecs doing another Aussie exclusive, Pnau and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard — and more. Enough talk — here's what you're waiting for: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Splendour in the Grass (@splendourinthegrass) SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 LINEUP: Lizzo Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume) Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive) Lewis Capaldi Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hilltop Hoods J Balvin Sam Fender Idles Little Simz Slowthai Tove Lo 100 Gecs (Australian exclusive) Arlo Parks Ball Park Music Iann Dior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 070 Shake Pnau Ruel Loyle Carner Benee Marlon Williams Rainbow Kitten Surprise Hooligan Hefs Peach PRC Palace Dune Rats Tkay Maidza Noah Cyrus Skegss Sudan Archives Cub Sport Meg Mac X Club. Claire Rosinkranz Jack River The Smith Street Band Lastlings Jeremy Zucker Young Franco Sly Withers MAY-A The Vanns Telenova Vallis Alps Jamesjamesjames Kaycyy RVG Teenage Dads Balming Tiger Automatic Harvey Sutherland Gali Del Water Gap Royel Otis Shag Rock Big Wett Mia Wray Memphis LK Gold Fang Milku Sumner Forest Claudette Full Flower Moon Band William Crighton Hellcat Speedracer Triple J Unearthed Winners Mix Up DJs: Tseba Crybaby Latifa Tee Foura Caucasianopportunities Luen Mowgli DJ Macaroni Crescendoll Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, April 14 — head to the festival website for further details. Top image: Charlie Hardy.
Half-melted cheese, warm fruit, itchy grass legs and maybe a pooch or two sniffing around: what do these things all have in common? They're picnic standards, and even though less warm fruit is generally more ideal, a picnic is — in anyone's book — a beaut thing. Bring a date, your mates, or just you and your dog for maximum bonding times. The stakes are upped even more when it's a weekend afternoon and you opt for the boozy version — cracking a six-pack in the sun while you're hoeing into the gouda is a recipe for a happy belly and mind. Wondering where you're allowed to BYO while picnicking in your city? Here's a list to get you started. SYDNEY: WENDY'S SECRET GARDEN Cultural figure Wendy Whiteley — her partner was late Australian artist Brett Whiteley — has been nurturing a public garden at the bottom of her property in Lavender Bay since 1992 when Brett passed away, turning a derelict train yard space into something beautiful: Wendy's Secret Garden. Not so much a secret anymore, there's still a lovely amount of whimsy and an overall Alice in Wonderland vibe; think a huge fig tree, ferns, secluded benches, quaint sculptures and windy paths to get lost down. Wendy's an ace lady who just wants to give you and your date a picturesque hideaway for your romantic picnic. So, head along and when you crack your first beer, make sure you cheers to her. SYDNEY: BURNUM BURNUM SANCTUARY The Burnum Burnum Sanctuary in Woronora provides a number of walking tracks for those intrepid souls, but if you're feeling a little lazier or you decided to wear sandals, then it's also a lovely place to park yourself and have a picnic. The terrain varies from grassy to beachy to foresty, so you can take your pick depending on your mood. Named after Aboriginal activist and author Burnum Burnum, the sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Woronora River and is a good spot for bird-watching (if you're having a really laid-back picnic). There is ample shade so you stay sun-safe all while you lounge around eating dip and biccies, washing it all down with a bev. Nothing like a beer near the river to really relax you. MELBOURNE: EDINBURGH GARDENS It's a tried and true thing, but you can't go wrong: a picnic in the Edinburgh Gardens in Melbourne's North Fitzroy can only lead to good things. If it's not beers in the sun (good), it's a bunch of dogs who want to play with you (even better) or inadvertently stumbling across a Kate Bush tribute festival (best). You won't have the place to yourself, but you'll be able to find yourself a nice nook somewhere to sprawl out on the grass with a beer while waiting for curious dog visitors to come nosing at your picnic spread (bring extra crackers). Easy to get to by public transport, the toilet facilities aren't too bad either, and there's adjoining lawn bowls, tennis and basketball courts — as well as a bit of a scene at the skate park. Enjoy your picnic beers and head to kick-ons a mere tiptoe away — you're at the foot of Brunswick Street already, so just roll on down the road. [caption id="attachment_659417" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melburnian.[/caption] MELBOURNE: FOOTSCRAY PARK The (not so wild) west of Melbourne has some absolute bangers culture-wise, from the Sun Theatre in Yarraville to the pho restaurants of Footscray. It's also an A+ place to have a picnic. Try Footscray Park, situated close to the city for an urban vibe, yet the riverside environment also leads you to believe you're on a mini holiday. The park is bursting with beautiful trees and a ripper garden, and it's the most intact Edwardian-period public garden in Victoria (the architect Rodney Alsop won an award for its design in 1911). Sit yourself on the banks of the river and enjoy contemplating the city view from the other side. There are memorials to the poet Henry Lawson and WWI and WWII soldiers — plus, the park could end up being a memorial to the romantic picnic date you once went on in Footscray. Better spring for the fancy cheese and maybe a slab, too. [caption id="attachment_593132" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Emily Davies.[/caption] BRISBANE: ROMA STREET PARKLANDS The Roma Street Parklands covers 16 hectares of the Brisbane city centre and, being a green wonderland, definitely has way more than 16 different types of plants. The horticulture situation over here is ace, with subtropical plants and 'designer gardens' that make for pretty lush picnic surroundings. Deck chairs are available for free and the toilets and pathways in the lower parklands are wheelchair accessible. You can also drink here, between 10am–8pm in the Lake and Celebration precincts, so make sure you've come equipped with enough beers to get you through a nice day of Brissie sun. The Sound Society, a live music event, also runs on the first Sunday of each month, so your picnic soundtrack may be sorted without having to fiddle around with speakers. BRISBANE: SOUTH BANK PARKLANDS PICNIC ISLAND Picnic Island in Brisbane's South Bank is sadly not an entire island totally dedicated to the good old picnic, but don't panic — it is an area of South Bank that has you completely covered when it comes to a boozy outdoor hang with open grassy areas for maximum rug space and a peaceful island forest for wandering post-feast, a huge ficus tree (so big it feels kind of enchanted). There's a pond for wildlife spotting and plenty of shade too. Picnic Island is licensed between 10am and 8pm daily, so as long as you've brought a food lunch along with your liquid lunch, you'll be apples. Plan your next picnic soon before the days start to cool, and don't forget to bring that six-pack of Hahn along, too.
It may be a severe case of FOMO, but for those a little more south than South by Southwest, this Austin-based festival seems like the dream. In just over a week, SXSW presents more than 800 sessions on technological innovation, hundreds of new and exciting films, and over 2000 musical acts. Unfortunately this year's festival was marred by terrible news — a tragedy that has little reason or sense. But the festival as a whole is a world-renowned celebration of ideas, art and culture in all their forms. Here's a few things we took away from it all. Films about Brooklyn hipsters are still, like, totally in Following in the steps of Lena 'voice of her generation' Dunham, first-time filmmakers Sarah-Violet Bill and Charles Rogers took out this year's Grand Jury Prize for Fort Tilden. Much like Dunham's prized 2010 film Tiny Furniture, Fort Tilden is the story of two Brooklyn women working their way through a quarter-life crisis. Unlike Tiny Furniture, they choose to deal with their problems with a madcap sojourn to the beach rather than lying on the floor and complaining. It may not have the emotional heft of last year's winner Short Term 12, but it does make sense in SXSW's long line of indie flicks that analyse the life of creative millenials (know your audience). Other honourable mentions go to Joe, a Nic Cage film where he may in fact play a normal human, and the premiere of the much-awaited Veronica Mars film. Apps are getting closer to making your favourite movies a reality Anyone who's seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has thought at least one of two things. One: both Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo look amazing in their underwear. Two: breakups are incredibly traumatic. And, while it's hard to split the two, the latter is probably the one that struck home. While we're not quite up to speed with the technological memory erasure of this critically acclaimed 2004 film, this year's SXSW drew attention to its digital equivalent. KillSwitch is an app that manages the increasingly troublesome problem of breaking up in the digital age by deleting all traces of your relationship. Is Facebook always telling you to 'reconnect' with your ex? Are you sick of seeing their incessant humble brags and stalking their profile for any glimpse of an interaction with someone new? Let technology free you from your sickness. We shouldn't feel bad about not knowing all the bands SXSW is a mecca for music fans and, as the industry's tastemaker, it understandably draws some big names. Jay-Z and Kanye rekindled the magic of their Watch the Throne tour, Coldplay soothed a crowd of people who were presumably missing the early noughties, and Tyler the Creator allegedly started a riot. Julian Casablancas seized the moment to release some new material, and indie favourites like Warpaint and Washed Out drew big buzz, but, as always, the real action was flying beneath the radar. With over 2,000 acts on show, SXSW is all about discovering 'the next big thing', and there are thousands of people desperate to be the first in the know. In a repeat of his Coachella segment last year, Jimmy Kimmel took advantage of this in the above video. What we learnt from it all: never trust anyone with a camera. Good advice can come from very strange places People were a little shocked when Lady Gaga was announced as the keynote speaker for the music portion of the festival. This wasn't because she was the first woman in 15 years to take the gig, nor because she was the youngest speaker ever; it was more to do with the fact that she's Lady Gaga — a woman who let someone vomit on her during a performance and came to the keynote speech dressed like one of the bad guys from the The Matrix: Reloaded. Regardless, her speech was a thing of beauty. She analysed the state of creativity in a corporate market, she slagged off Katy Perry — her speech had it all. Watch the full thing here. Oreos are more delicious when they tell you the news 3D printing technology has a lot of potential. It's now used in medical breakthroughs, it can even be used to build a house pieced together like Lego, but I think it's just found its ultimate use — creating customised Oreos. In a joint venture between Oreo and Twitter, this year's SXSW featured a Trending Vending Lounge that created Oreos based on the trending news at each moment. With that, lucky festival-goers were actually able to taste the hashtag #SXSW. If we had to guess, it would be something like Texan BBQ and Red Bull but, hey, whatever you're into... Famous people are exciting, even when they're Kevin Bacon When a world-class festival bases itself around the creative industries of innovation, film and music, it's understandably going to get some stars. This year, big waves were made by Lena Dunham and her keynote that focused on the gender inequalities of Hollywood; funny people like Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, who gave an inside look into the world of Portlandia; and the cast of Game of Thrones, who dropped into their exhibit featuring the iron throne (did anyone else know Hodor is a DJ?). However, the unexpected highlight was a talk with that all but forgotten '80s dance king named after your favourite food: Kevin Bacon. After explaining that he once hated the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, he went on to dish out a much-sought-after Bacon number of one to all the audience. For some reason, we're jealous. Grumpy Cat will still steal the show every time But all of this was nothing compared to the unrequited love shown to one feline friend. Marking her second year of SXSW domination, Grumpy Cat was undoubtedly the main attraction of SXSW Interactive. Not only did she steal the spotlight from the festival's biggest stars, she ruined the end of Game of Thrones and may have broken the internet in the process. Good one, Grumps.
Once again, the famed grounds of Taronga Zoo will come alive with lights and projections when Vivid Sydney kicks off this Friday, May 25. This year, as part of the after-dark light program that takes over various precincts across Sydney, Taronga's set-up will include 19 brand new captivating installations. As the zoo continues its mission to raise awareness and support for endangered species in Australia and Sumatra, this year's Lights Of The Wild gives zoo visitors the opportunity wander the harbourside site after dark, encountering everything from multi-coloured elephants to schools of fish along the way. This year's event incorporates 19 new installations and three revamped ones, including ten 3D transformations of drawings submitted by local school children.Here's a peek at some of the animalistic magic you can look forward to when you visit. The light show begins from the moment you hit the zoo's entrance, stepping through the mouth of this two-storey-high Port Jackson shark. You'll have the chance to snap a photo alongside three giant glowing gorillas for the Vivid Gorillagram installation. See a nine-metre-long goanna emerge from the shadows, then move beneath a weedy sea dragon and cluster of sea turtles by the zoo's piazza. And encounter enormous illuminated bees hanging out among the trees. Multi-coloured crocodiles round out a cast of Aussie natives, along with red back spiders, platypus and echidnas. Other highlights include an award winning animated projection in a 270-degree cinematic experience, by Taronga Centenary Theatre, and an initiative that allows visitors to support Taronga's wildlife conservation work by purchasing a glowing yellow Ties for the Wild ribbon. Vivid Sydney will run from May 25 until June 16, and Taronga Zoo will be open every night of the festival. The experience is ticketed — you can buy tickets to the nightly 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm sessions here. Images: Steve Christo.
For the next two months, visitors to MoMA PS1 in New York's Queens best start looking up. The gallery has just installed its latest installation, Lumen, which turns the venue's courtyard into a environmentally responsive, colour-changing wonderland. Designed by Jenny Sabin Studio, winning The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1's annual Young Architects Program, and on display until September 4, Lumen consists of cellular canopies made from textiles that react to conditions around them: light and heat, namely. As the environment changes — aka the weather gets gloomy, or day turns to night — so do the hues emitted by its digitally knitted fibres. If you've ever wondered what the '90s Hypercolor fad would look like if it was strung across the sky, this dreamy interactive piece provides the answer. So, how does it work? Well, those fibres are solar-active and photo-luminescent. Almost a million metres of them have been turned into 250 hanging tubular structures, and paired with 100 robotically woven recycled spool stools, as well as a misting system that responds to visitors' proximity. The aim is to use insights and theories from biology, materials science, mathematics and engineering to create an adaptive piece of micro-climate-like architecture that behaves like an organism. As Sabin describes, "by night, Lumen is knitted light, bathing visitors in a responsive glow of photo-luminescence; by day, Lumen offers succor from the summer heat, immersing participants in delicious ground clouds of cooling mist." She continues: "Lumen is a feminine form that offers luminous interiorities, informal networks, social fabrics, and fibrous assemblages that are pliable, transformative, and playful." Via: Inhabitat. Images: Lumen by Jenny Sabin Studio for the Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1's Young Architects Program 2017. Courtesy MoMA PS1. Photo by Pablo Enriquez.
Folks heading to Finland's Ruisrock festival won't have to worry about paying to get there — but they will have to be willing to belt out a few tunes. Once, singing in your car was something everyone did when they were alone or enjoying an epic road trip with friends. In recent years, it has become an overdone late-night talk show comedy bit. Now, it's the only form of payment accepted by the Fortum Singalong Shuttle, which won't be taking cash, cards or funds via app when it hits the Turku streets between July 6–8. On the way to and from the three-day fest — which features N.E.R.D. and The Chainsmokers among its headliners — punters can hop in at designated stops, pick a tune from an in-car tablet and start unleashing their inner pop star. According to the shuttle website, the vehicle keeps on moving as long as its passengers keep on singing; however, given the cars will come with drivers, we're guessing that there'll be some discretion about how much singing is really required. As gimmicky an idea as you're likely to hear, it's actually an attempt by clean-energy company Fortum to get people thinking about its alternative energy solutions, with the Singalong Shuttle fleet populated solely by electric cars. "The silent electric cars make it possible to enjoy singing without background noise and emissions," says the outfit's brand manager Jussi Mälkiä.
Each year, at the turn of winter to spring, Hindus celebrate Holi, a festival exalting colour that leaves participants saturated in bright hues. Holi serves as the inspiration behind the Color Run, a unique 5k race touring 18 United States cities. Runners are invited to join the "3.1 miles of color madness" that comprise the untimed Color Run purely for the sake of a good time. The only race requirements are that all participants wear a white t-shirt and be willing to be greeted with a blast of coloured pigment upon completing every leg of the race. The pigment, made of 100% natural food-grade cornstarch, is colour-specific for each portion of the race. After the first kilometre, runners are splattered with yellow; after the second, they are doused in blue. And so it continues until the end of the 5 kilometres, when each runner is covered head-to-toe in a brilliant mish-mash of every hue imaginable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZWsfHC-0d6A [Via PSFK]
Every quarter, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology releases its climate outlook for the coming season, signalling to the country just what type of weather might be in store. For winter 2020, for example, it advised that we were in for hotter and wetter-than-average conditions. And for the spring just gone — and for the warmer portion of the year in general — it predicted plenty of warm-weather rain. While BOM has already forecast summer's conditions as part of its severe weather outlook in October, it has now released its actual climate outlook for the season — given that summer officially started this week. The organisation noted two key points. First, it advised that temperatures are likely to be warmer than average in much of the country. Secondly, it noted that there's a high likelihood of above-average rainfall between December–February. Expect to feel the heat starting from December, especially if you live in southeast Australia, far west Western Australia and along the Queensland coast — where BOM is forecasting maximum temperatures above the long-term average between December 7–20 with a likelihood of at least 70 percent. Looking more broadly at the three-month period, it also expects the same temperature trend to play out across the entire summer along the coast of Queensland and the Northern Territory, in most of Victoria, and in Tasmania, far west WA and southeast South Australia. [caption id="attachment_793395" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bureau of Meteorology[/caption] Another key indicator of warmth: how low — or high — the minimum temperature gets to overnight. To end November, Sydney reported its highest overnight minimum since temps started being recorded, for instance. BOM expects minimum temperates to exceed the long-term average this summer for the majority of the nation, and predicts there's more than an 80-percent chance that'll happen everywhere but the eastern interior of WA and adjacent parts of NT and SA, where it's touting a 60-percent likelihood. So, you know that it's going to be toasty. Summer always is, of course; however, again, BOM is predicting temps higher than average. In terms of how wet it'll be, December–February is expected to be wetter than usual with higher-than-average rainfall across most of Australia, especially the northwest of the country, eastern Queensland and along the New South Wales coast. It says there's more than a 75-percent chance that'll be the case in those aforementioned places, while the everywhere else except Australia has a 60-percent possibility. [caption id="attachment_793396" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bureau of Meteorology[/caption] The predicted extra rain is influenced by La Niña, which is underway in the tropical Pacific — and usually increases the chance of above-average rainfall over eastern Australia during summer. BOM's Head of Operational Climate Services Dr Andrew Watkins advised that large parts of eastern Australia have an increased risk of flooding as a result, too. "Our climate outlook is the opposite of what we experienced last year in Australia. This summer, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are expected to see above average rainfall, meaning we face an increased risk of widespread floods," he said And yes, even with the wet conditions, heatwaves are still likely. "This summer's heatwaves may not reach the extreme temperatures of recent years, but may be longer duration and more humid," noted Dr Watkins. In other words, staying cool and dry has just become your number-one mission for summer. For further details about the Bureau of Meteorology's forecast for summer 2020–21, check out its summer climate outlook.
The Great Sphinx in Egypt faces the Pizza Hut logo. The Queen's holiday house, Windsor Castle, is directly opposite a McDonalds billboard. And KFC, amongst others, have beamed their logo on to the moon. We undoubtedly live in an advertiser's world and if you are an average person living in the city you have probably encountered 5,000 or more advertising messages in the last 24 hours. So where did these these omnipresent eyesores and icons of American cultural imperialism come from, and how much did they cost? While today the design and redesign of logos is often massive business, with the much-derided London Olympics logo setting the organisers back a whopping 400,000 GBP, many of the most recognisable brands in the world cost nothing or next to nothing to create. It is hard to believe, but the Coca-Cola logo, perhaps the most recognisable brand in the world, was made by the company's first bookkeeper in the late 1800s for the very generous price of $0. In this nifty little infographic we can compare and contrast the price tags of some of the world's most iconic logos. Take a look at Trendland if you want to find out more about the stories behind the cost and design of these logos.
While it's hard to put a number on the huge amount of Lego pieces in the world right now, one thing's for sure — all that plastic is the stuff of environmental nightmares. But we can all breathe a tiny bit easier, with the Lego Group announcing its latest good-guy move: it has started producing a range of sustainable pieces, made from plant-based plastic. The company will use a polyethylene sourced from sugarcane to create a new series of botanical Lego pieces, in the shapes of trees, leaves and bushes, to hit shelves as early as this year. They'll look and feel the same (sorry folks, stepping on these will hurt just as much as the regular Lego), but will have a much lighter environmental footprint. And it seems Lego's got plenty more eco-friendly initiatives up its sleeve, too. "At the Lego Group we want to make a positive impact on the world around us, and are working hard to make great play products for children using sustainable materials," said the group's Vice President for Environmental Responsibility Tim Brooks. "This is a great first step in our ambitious commitment of making all Lego bricks using sustainable materials." Lego Group has committed to using sustainable materials in all its core products and packaging by 2030.
A trip to the cinema can brighten up the bleakest of days — and while it's a safe (and often enjoyable) choice to flock to the flicks you know have mass rave reviews, sometimes it's nice to get stuck into a film that hasn't garnered loud critical acclaim. Superheroes, franchises, sequels and remakes are all well and good, but there's a wealth of features gracing screens near you that don't always fall into those categories. They're the under-seen and often under-sung gems, and they're some of 2016's most rewarding, entertaining and engaging viewing. To help you catch up on a year's worth of great cinema, we're put together rundown of the ten 2016 best movies that box office figures tell us you probably missed. Have a few to catch up on? Don't worry — you can't spend all year purely watching films. Besides, that's what summer holidays are for. GREEN ROOM If you only see one movie featuring Patrick Stewart as a fascist heavy metal club owner, make it Jeremy Saulnier's follow-up to the criminally under-seen Blue Ruin. The actor also known as Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Xavier will send chills down your spine — but there's a just as impressive bunch of actors trying to fend him off. As the title suggests, much of Green Room takes place backstage, where Anton Yelchin, Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat and their band stumble across something they shouldn't have. Prepare to feel uneasy as you watch this violent, claustrophobic thriller. And prepare to appreciate Yelchin's many talents for one of the last times. SING STREET Lightning strikes not just twice but thrice for Irish filmmaker John Carney; with Once and Begin Again also on his resume, he's clearly on a roll. Sing Street is another music-focused outing, this time following a teenage band in the 1980s — and adolescent hopes and dreams have rarely been so charming. From the original songs you'll immediately have stuck in your head, to the loveable cast of Irish newcomers, Carney doesn't make a wrong move. We predict that, in years to come, this will join all the usual actual '80s efforts on your repeat-viewing list. TUNNEL Zombie effort Train to Busan wasn't the only ace action-oriented film South Korea gifted audiences this year. Tunnel might've received much less attention, but if you like watching tense disaster efforts, people trying to claw their way out a crumbled structure and/or bureaucratic bungling, then this is the movie for you. Sure, you probably think you've seen it all before — but thanks to A Hard Day director Kim Seong-hun, prepare yourself for one of the most well-rounded examples of the genre to grace cinema screens. Indeed, Tunnel succeeds on three fronts: making its life-or-death scenario feel urgent and immediate, fleshing out its characters and garnering a genuine emotional impact. MAGGIE'S PLAN Maggie's Plan isn't a sequel to Frances Ha by any means, but it is the next best thing. Writer/director Rebecca Miller guides Greta Gerwig through another idiosyncratic existence, this time as a single woman keen to jump into motherhood — and not at all concerned that she's not in a relationship. Gerwig once again shines in the kind of role she's made her own, with excellent support from Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore, Maya Rudolph and Bill Hader. What makes the film truly stand out though, is its acceptance of life's ups and downs. You'll laugh, you'll smile, and you'll nod in agreement many, many times while watching. THE FITS Among its many, many merits, The Fits proves that bigger isn't always better. In fact, in her first fiction feature, writer/director Anna Rose Holmer makes the most of every one of the film's 72 minutes. Within such a brief running time, she packs in a beguiling narrative set in the world of drill dance, as 11-year-old Toni (first-timer Royalty Hightower, who puts in an astonishing performance) joins a local squad just as her teammates start mysteriously fainting. Both forms of movement are integral in the way Holmer tells her tale — in fact, The Fits is one of the best examples of blending style and story in recent years. CHASING ASYLUM Even when you're an Oscar and Emmy Award-winning producer, making a documentary about Australia's treatment of asylum seekers isn't easy. There's a sense of danger that just doesn't dissipate in Eva Orner's Chasing Asylum, whether you're getting a glimpse of the conditions experienced by refugees detained in offshore facilities, or following the efforts of staff to secretly capture the film's footage. And while Orner's viewpoint is never in doubt, it's supported by an illuminating array of interviews and context-providing background information. Still, the on-the-ground material speaks for itself, and makes Chasing Asylum must-see viewing. SHIN GODZILLA He's big, scaly and has been wreaking havoc on Japan since the 1950s — and now he's back. Yes, he's none other than Godzilla, and his latest big screen venture provides him with a welcome return to the monster movie fold. Forget the terrible 1998 effort starring Matthew Broderick, and the better but still less-than-stellar 2014 film, because this is how a modern Godzilla flick should be made. Nodding to the past and finding a new way forward, Shin Godzilla is a kaiju flick that knows how to balance size and spectacle with societal commentary and human drama. LOOKING FOR GRACE There's a fine line between ordinary and odd in Looking for Grace, but that applies to the situation its characters find themselves in, rather than the film. Indeed, in trying to explore that very idea, writer/director Sue Brooks offers up an offbeat but insightful take on dramatic family antics, as told across non-linear chapters. And, she has enlisted a fantastic cast to help relate the efforts of a runaway teenage girl, her distraught parents and the retired cop called in to assist. The Daughter's Odessa Young once again proves a star in the making, Richard Roxburgh is a delight and Radha Mitchell shows off her comic timing. HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS After watching Hello, My Name Is Doris, wanting to grow up to become Sally Field's eponymous character is completely understandable. She might only be finding her way in the world at an advanced age and after the death of her mother, but Doris has something most people can only dream of: a genuine willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and try new things. That's why, as the film that bears her name charts her new affection for a much, much younger colleague (Max Greenfield), it never feels less than sweet and sensitive. Writer/director Michael Showalter also penned and starred in Wet Hot American Summer, which should give you an idea of the movie's slightly offbeat vibe. TRUMAN Reunited friends, an encroaching separation, a cute pet pooch that needs a new home — as far as tear-jerking clichés go, Truman appears to hit the jackpot. Of course, appearances can be deceiving, as proves the case here. One of the greatest skills in filmmaking and storytelling is making seemingly well-worn tales and components explore new depths, traverse different territory and earn their emotional response. In a quiet, gentle fashion, Cesc Gay's modest but moving musing on life and love, along with Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara's finessed performances, manages to do just that.
It might be Australia's most famous place to see all creatures great and small, but Taronga Zoo isn't just about communing with nature's critters. It's also a Vivid site and an overnight wildlife retreat, and boasts its own restaurant. It hosts summer gigs, too, and has even been home to an ice rink. So, setting up Sydney's latest openair cinema is really just business as usual. That said, there's nothing standard about spending time with adorable animals, then watching a classic movie with a stunning harbour view. Accordingly, it's no wonder that Taronga has dubbed its film-loving addition Harbour View Cinema. The New South Wales capital is no stranger to places to see flicks outdoors when the weather is warm — see also: Sunset Cinema, Openair Cinema and Moonlight Cinema, to name just a few — but this one comes with 4000 zoo residents as an extra soundscape. Taronga's concert lawns will welcome the temporary big screen, with the cinema hosting four sessions between Thursday, September 28—Sunday, October 1. Launching the program: none other than The Lion King, the OG animated version, aka an animal-themed movie that everyone loves. While Harbour View Cinema will start its lineup with the right movie for the right place, it isn't only showing films about critters. Instead, it's serving up beloved retro titles that you've seen before, and possibly even on an outdoor screen, but never in this specific setting. So, if you like scary movies, that includes the original Scream. If you're fond of all things wizarding, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is also on the list. And, nobody will put Baby in a corner again when Dirty Dancing gets a spin. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, and can show up with their own snacks. The zoo is fully licensed, however, so you aren't able to BYO booze or any drinks in glass containers. If you're keen to just rock up without packing a basket, there'll be food trucks slinging hot bites, and also popcorn, ice creams and other sweet treats. And, the onsite bar will be doing beer, wine, sparkling and cocktails, plus mocktails. Your ticket does indeed include zoo access, starting at 2pm, with doors to the cinema area opening at 5.30pm. Films start between 6.45–7.30pm, depending on the session. Levelled-up options include scoring a VIP chair, and food and drink delivered to it; that prime seat and an ice cream; or staying at the eco-retreat afterwards. Whichever you pick, because Taronga is not-for-profit, your cash goes into helping the zoo save wildlife. Taronga Harbour View Cinema will pop up between Thursday, September 28—Sunday, October 1, with tickets on sale now. Images: Maclay Heriot, The James Adams and Charlie Hardie.
How do you get plane passengers excited about sitting sandwiched between two strangers? To turn middle seat-dwelling frowns upside down, Virgin Australia launched the Middle Seat Lottery in 2022. It's exactly what it sounds like, giving prizes to people who find themselves perched in everyone's least favourite spot in the air — and, while it was originally set to only span six months, the scheme has just been extended until mid-2023. No one likes the middle seat on a plane. Does anyone book flights, select where to sit and genuinely (and willingly) pick being stuck between two other people, with no window to look out and no easy access to the aisle, if there's another option? No, no they don't. But resisting that urge until Friday, July 9 could score goodies for your troubles, with an extra $45,000 in prizes added to the pool. The 11-week extension means 11 more weekly prizes, with holidays the big focus. Fancy return flights to Tokyo? To Europe, plus a luxe experience in Doha? To North Queensland, including swimming with saltwater crocodiles? To Townsville, where a waterfall and tropical island tour via helicopter and sailboat cruise await? They're some of the giveaways — and there's a stint on North Stradbroke Island that starts with a beer-tasting experience onboard a private jet, then spans a brewery tour with Straddie Brewing Co, too. The freebies change each week, and are only available to passengers to meet one big condition: sitting in the middle seat because you've either selected it or you've been assigned it. An hour or so in a seat you wouldn't normally pick for the chance to win your next getaway? Worth it, probably. Plenty of folks agree, with more than 240,000 Virgin Australia guests entering the competition since it launched last October. To go in the running to win any of the above prizes, you do need to be a Velocity Frequent Flyer member over the age of 18. And, you'll have to fly somewhere within Australia, on a Virgin Australia-operated domestic flight, during the competition period — in a middle seat, obviously. Also, to enter, you then need to use the Virgin Australia app within 48 hours of your flight's scheduled departure time, tapping on the Middle Seat Lottery tile, finding your flight and entering your details. From there, winners are drawn each week and contacted if they're successful. Virgin Australia's Middle Seat Lottery runs until Sunday, July 9, 2023. For more information, head to the Virgin website. Images: Carly Ravenhall. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
